Star Gazey Pie

Perverse Cornish pie you'd swear they made up

as a joke to scare incomers.

But it's as true as I breathe,

fish heads peeking perversely over the rim,

a maritime, Halloween supper treat.

The startled herring gaze at Orion

from a shortcrust sea.

This is a yesteryear thing,

a recipe like threatened torture

to scare the tourists

and processed food kids.

Never having seen it,

I dream beneath the crust

all sorts of oceanic unpleasantness

swirling, unedible, in a Celtic Sea

and shantied sauce.

The Star Gaezey fish have an accusing look.

Just don't ask what's for pudding.