to that river of cloud and star
i cast up for a catch of time
and he strikes it like a tarpon
and i begin to strip in years

time’s fight is like no other
you look up, gills flaring,
his tail slapping huge rings in the light

it takes heartbroken strength
to reel in the king of ages
to hold it spent in your hands
then let go[1]


[1] Untitled poem by Steve Arndt © 2013 – Steve is a writer in Portland, Oregon