The Jackpot by Melissa Campana

The Jackpot

Orcas swim

Tall black fins

Emerge from the

Waves in front of

Uncle’s bay-front

Home where he

Explains that they

Aren’t as friendly

As they appear

During the shows

At Sea World.

“Ya know…

they’ll kill

and skin

a penguin

just to get to

it’s tongue,”

He’d always remind me.

Those were the days

Just sitting on

Uncle’s porch swing

Gaining this

Appreciation

I now have for

The ocean.

Now I’m sitting

Here hiding in a

Crevice in the rocks

On the ocean floor

Wondering if

During Uncle’s stories,

There were divers

Taking shelter,

As terrified as

I am right now,

Of the orcas

Moving through the bay

In front of Uncle’s house

Where my son

Is learning the

Dangers of the orcas

As their tall black fins

Emerge from the waves

While they scout

For a meal-

Something to tear apart

Until they find

The jackpot.