My Fish Story
My soul is like a goldfish
that wants to be seen
but doesn’t like attention
The ocean is too big
The fishbowl’s too small
I’m afraid to be abandoned
but want to be alone
In a dream I grow legs
and carry the fishbowl outside
where happy cats live with sparrows
and sunlight swallows shadows
________Colleen Redman / Poets United / Real Toads in Imaginary Gardens
June 17th, 2018 10:00 am
What a happy surprise ending!
June 17th, 2018 10:10 am
That would be a sight to see: a goldfish growing legs and carrying its own bowl. What an imagination you have!
June 17th, 2018 10:30 am
This is a delight to read and imagine.
June 17th, 2018 11:27 am
This poem just makes me happy–I’m picturing a determined fish striding outside & finding the perfect porch perch.
June 17th, 2018 11:44 am
First I love the contradictions and opposites, and then wonderful ending, may the cat nots eat goldfish
June 17th, 2018 12:16 pm
there’s this wonderful transition from feeling trapped to a feeling of upliftment. Loved it
June 17th, 2018 2:17 pm
As ever, so fresh and original Collen. This short piece clever, honest and pretty deep and self revealing too which is quite an achievement in so few well chosen words and phrases. Loved it!
June 17th, 2018 4:38 pm
Wonderfully put, I concur. Chelsea
June 17th, 2018 4:53 pm
Trying to find our place in this goldfish, too big world….fabulous write!
June 17th, 2018 5:24 pm
I love the fancifulness, light hearted touch of this poem. What a treat.
June 17th, 2018 7:58 pm
Great thoughts in your poem! Love the creativity.
June 17th, 2018 8:30 pm
All of us creatures have ambitions including goldfish. Life is a dare but are we strong enough to do it and take the consequences?
June 18th, 2018 9:25 pm
I’m enamored with this piece. It brings me great joy – in a soul-filled way.
June 19th, 2018 8:13 am
“I’m afraid to be abandoned
but want to be alone”
Yep.
June 19th, 2018 9:53 am
Such a delightful ending! ???
June 19th, 2018 9:59 am
We want and want and want, and all that wanting gets us noticed (ugh), when all we want is to want and want (and get just what we want).
Love this. Because I believe most of us are a garden of contradictions that always feel they aren’t contradictory at all. Also, because the image of that legged fish carrying a fishbowl around is freaking delicious. 🙂
June 19th, 2018 11:09 am
Oh i like that goldfish growing legs and carrying its bowl.. super image!
June 19th, 2018 12:43 pm
I resonate with that goldfish that wants to be seen but doesnt like attention. It is sometimes hard to be a hermit who likes people. LOL.
June 20th, 2018 5:11 pm
“….and sunlight swallows shadow”…what a wonderfu line Colleen!
June 26th, 2018 12:00 am
The second verse describes me perfectly on many days.