Ryan Robson-Bluer

MaraƱuelas

When the fishermen anchor down

and finish up their meal, their boat

snagging on each wave, they drown

 

the nets and watch them bloat

in the tug of the sea. Fingers cleave

to long-cold mugs and, having no

 

food left, the sailors retrieve,

as an afterthought, the prized tin

of marañuelas. Each man receives

 

the shape baked for him,

twisted neat. Warm with pride

he totters the boat’s rim,

 

each loving sway of the tide,

carrying his golden home-knot,

a fingerprint baked into the side.