Baby Fish

In my son’s house there’s a fish tank
Where there currently reside
Five fishes swimming happily.
(A sixth one, sadly, died.)

Today I noticed something new,
A little mesh-type cage
Suspended in the tank for reasons
I could not quite gauge.

Until I looked more carefully 
And, much to my surprise,
Two baby fish were hiding;
As a tactic, very wise.

I learned their one-time siblings
Hadn’t lasted very long,
Being gobbled by the grown-ups
Which, of course, seems very wrong.

But we can’t judge their behavior
Or compare it to our own,
For we humans pamper offspring - 
Well, at least ‘til they are grown!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Flood Avatar
October 24, 2023 at 4:50 PM
I’ve been a ‘fishy’ person for fifty five years, Ilene. So I knew what the mesh cage was. The thing about the fish that give birth to free swimming young is that they’ll give birth at one end, then turn about and eat their young. Hence a thirty to fifty brood. Thank heaven for evolution… and top notch poetry ;-)
Kingston Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 3:06 PM
It is hard for me to let go and not pamper. Ironically my daughter who is living with friends after graduating from college last spring, called today from her new career in Boston. "Oh, mom..I need new tires on my car and groceries are so expensive, why is every thing so expensive?" I want to send her money, but "she is grown and now on her own" Hold tight Marikate, hold tight. Super poem, I needed to read today!
Greenhough Avatar
October 20, 2023 at 8:55 PM
Another great poem. Thanks for the fish tale.
Allison Avatar
October 20, 2023 at 1:09 PM
oh how cute is that Ilene and what a wise tactic to give the little ones a chance to thrive:-) hugs Jan xx
Andresen Avatar
October 20, 2023 at 12:14 PM
- A cruel thought indeed, Ilene - we humans pamper our offspring ... as long as we are able to ... - Many thanks for your visit and good wishes on my poems :) - hugs
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