“The Challenger”

“Rippling surging waters, relentless warrior salmon, Keeping frantic guard over chosen nesting site, To the death. Pebbles floating upward, pelting blasts of furious spray, as holes are dug by her furious fanning tail, Time is short. Oblivious female, hovering over crub of stone and sand, Expels her eggs in life’s last desperate thrust, Then floats away. Warrior dueling might, slashing blows sear weaker foe, victorious male ejects his seed upon the milky roe, And perishes. Melancholy death…live, Springs promise wakens sleeping eggs, born of strife and sacrifice the young go forth alone, renewing Life.”