I. nauplius
egg of unknowing
in a sea of immensity
floating without realizing
how your chances of surviving
are so tiny
II. protozoea
now an opalesque dot of hunger
& gulping fart of life
swimming while hardly fathoming
what's going on
encountering many
planktontic delights
III. zoea
bigger now – what of it?
the food chain
is nearly all above
so keep a low profile
& wait for darkness
kelp is a good place for cubs
IV. megalops
molting fragile chitin shells
& waving bulging claws
you're a big little bugger
pinky maritime boxer
calincated tank
feasting on morsels that sank
