SHINY FISH ©
Laura Friedlander
Lerwick, Scotland
2006
The best ones' always get away
the ones' you fancy
never fancy you
If you can bait one of these
silver glinting fish
they struggle to slip and slide
through your fingers
writhe their way out of your life
back to the fast flowing rivers
they came from.
You might be lucky enough
to catch a fish
Keep him in a jar
watch him beating his head
against a glass wall
dodging the splash of thrown stones.
Watch him sometimes soar to the surface
of your life
more often than not he will dive
lurking in your deep emotions.
These shiny fish
Their eyes are cold
their mouths are always open
They do not talk
only their constant swimming tells you.
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