The angle of incidence -- that is,
light before it glints off water --
is equal to the angle of reflection;
at least, in water calm enough
so that the surface does not wrinkle.
In reality, the salmon hide
in turbulence, not tricks of light.

I am a salmon, trying to decide
whether the time has come
to return to beginnings. I know
that the choice, once made
is like the photon's flash:
stay in the air, or dive and hope
the wild one-way path adds up.