Befores and Afters

Thwack. Thwack thwack thwack.

That is the sound of a winch handle coming down on a head.

Multiple times.

Hard.

The blood spurting out of the body doesn’t make a sound as it runs down the teak and sprinkles my arms my shirt my chin with vermilion drops.

The captain keeps up the rhythmic hammering and I am looking over my shoulder not sure how the owners will react to the gruesome scene.

But I can’t help but smile.

Dinner. Is. Served. Or will be when I cook it.

The shimmering golden scales of the dorado fade to gray with tiny iridescent blue specks as life leaves (OK is bludgeoned from) his twitching three foot body.

There is really nothing like catching your next meal. And shoot, a cow would put up more of a fight. Broccoli on the other hand is a freaking push over. Fight Broccoli fight? Learn from the creatures that us humans seem to like the game involved in capturing our nutrients and wresting them into compliance. Maybe those tough guys who think they are too macho to eat anything green would like you better if you just picked up your roots and ran as galosh clad feet tramped towards the garden. But since this is not possible unless perhaps you are indulging on what they call around Dominica HI-Rise rum (infused with local, um, botanical specialties), we’ll just be happy with this beautiful dorado and let the greens play second fiddle.

The gold and blue specks are gone, replaced by a crispy olive oiled brown and black peppered crust covered with spicy mango salsa.

Sea to plate in just a few hours.

And a little blood to remind us that yes, it is a living creature that we are catching, killing, and with which we are nourishing our own vibrant bodies.

Thanks Neptune for the tasty (and easily bludgeoned) gift!

(OK yes, that part about bludgeoning sounds awful but it is the truth. Acknowledge the source and the sacrifice. Look it in the eye even. Be thankful. Then enjoy!)