In a Can

A friend once led me

to the back of the cannery

 

An endless belt of heads, tails,

and fins.

Ancient, rigorous salmon.

 

Endless belt of scales,

into the maw.

 

quarter-pound,

half-pound,

“Talls.”

Endless

water

steam

Machines.

 

Endless days,

that suddenly end.

Endless people

that finally leave.

 

A friend once led me

to the back of the cannery

 

he laughed, and I cried.

 

Zack Henry, USA