ANDY RAY

Easy Prey

An osprey is gliding above the bayou, scanning
for mullets who congregate just below
the surface, where they discuss important fish matters,
like where to swim or who is taking whom
to fish prom—with a total disregard for
the growing shadow above them
that pierces the water and plucks
(let’s call him) Sam out from the school
and into the great osprey beyond, and the bird is
just being a bird—his rights are
protected too—but those other fish, those
remaining mullets do nothing. They don’t
go hide under a rock or move
as group under a fallen limb;
they don’t form a search party, or even
send thoughts and prayers.
They just fill in the spot
where Sam swam and continue
their fish chatter, as if he was never there
at all, as if the world had plenty
of mullets for osprey to hunt,
as if there were plenty of Sams to go around. 

Andy Ray’s poetry has appeared in Sulphur River Review, The Concho River Review, and The Dallas Review. His critical essay work can be found in Tupelo Quarterly. Andy earned his bachelor of arts in literature from The University of Texas at Dallas and his master of fine arts in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He has worked in senior management for years and enjoys playing the piano and the guitar. Andy is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He writes using the pen name Andrew Richard Ray. You can learn more by visiting his website: andyray.com.