Ode to the Remora

I love the idea

of this ray-finned

sucking fish,

its oval dorsal fin

with slat-like

structures

to take firm hold

against the skin

of larger mammals.

They attach

to some poor wretch

of shark or whale,

turtle or dugong

or mantua ray.

Holding tight,

they look like

little silver ripples

on its hide.

That is,

they hitch a ride.

I guess it’s faster,

even though

they swim well

on their own

with sinuous

or curved

motion.

Many but small,

they travel together,

feeding on what

the host drops.

Some hide

in the great casket

of the host’s mouth

scavenging

leftovers.

Sometimes

the host

eats them!

It’s a life

lazy but

dangerous,

prone to

sudden

eclipse.

Poetic Asides November Poem A Day Chapbook Challenge: day 22, use at least three of these words ( used four):

·       ideogram

·       remora

·       casket

·       eclipse

·       selfie

·       wretch

Many of the phrases used were found in the Wikipedia article; some quoted verbatim.
      

Also submitted for dVerse Form For All: an ode in the style of Neruda, i.e. short lines, concrete images, real-life objects. They’re supposed to celebrate the ordinary; I departed somewhat from that!