The light， tarred skin

of the currach rides

and receives the current，

rolls and responds to

the harsh sea swell^1.

Inside the wooden ribs²

a slithering frenzy^{3； a sheen}

of black-barred silver-

green and flailing^{4 mackerel：}

the iridescent^{5 hoop6}

of a gasping^{7 sea trout8.}

As a fish gleams most

fiercely before it dies，

so the scales of the sea-hag

shine with a hectic⁹

putrescent glitter：

luminous^{10， bleached}

white water

that light in the narrows

before a storm breaks.