Under the sea
on coral islands
freedom a birth rite
caught and now stashed
on slabs and wrapped
in plastic for sale
these living crabs
its as if they are in gaol
under the plastic
sure they are hoping
to live without air
and to try and escape
their claws might just free them
their eyes might just see them
sideways escaping
freedom possibly
mongers of sea souls
packed in this plastic
on ice and with salt
That’s what they do
sell crabs at retail
in markets wet
so many killed this way
Their short lives are set
sea
Rex Tyler is a Poet, Campaigner, former owner of an organic shop of 30 years, and Public Speaker living in Berkhamsted, UK.