The Hagfish Ties Itself In Knots

Poetry

Jagged tooth rings

below a cycloptic nostril

to smell out whalefall.

Necessary jawlessness

to devour decaying flesh.

I shrug off copious mucus,

layer after layer of slime

unspools, enough to suffocate.

My enemies get a mouthful.

(((gag gag gag)))

I twist in knots, writhe for cleansing,

lest I choke on a death of my own making.

Unpalatability has perks.

Allison Camp is a Washington State native now living and working in North Carolina. A scientist by training, Allison has a deep affinity for biology and the fascinating details that abound in nature. Her connection to the natural world drives her creative work. You can find her musings on creativity and science on her Substack: https://allisoncamp.substack.com/