The Catfish and the Universe

Catfish you are strong
Making the river swirl
In a violent dance of blues
As you drive below waves
Your tail-fin endlessly working
Beneath the churning surface

Heading to the capital
On a mysterious voyage
Below high earthy banks
Listening to the sound
Of the distant universe
And its lonely heartbeat

Beautiful dark swimmer
Your dreams are complete
And their meaning clear
As the stars guide you
On this summer night
To the golden city's waters

Carefully bypassing man
To a secret ancient place
That has never changed
The river is a snake
Chaotic, wide and winding
But it can be the bridge

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Catfish reads somehow ordinary, not known worldwide like
salmon perhaps. But you have created an adventurer, a creature, that endlessly sees and feels everything, everywhere it goes. As to its means of 'travelling',
'Carefully bypassing man
To a secret ancient place
That has never changed
The river is a snake
Chaotic, wide and winding
But it can be the bridge'
Seems the catfish is wise, feels life as it goes, time after time, discovering, learning - a bridge to All, if observed and used. Perhaps. Read twice, can only leave what I feel.

[TL Boehm]

such an appealing write. Had a wonderful flow - for some reason I find the last stanza to be my favorite.

[Leigh]

Yes it has an extra bit of mystery, thank you

[Author Rucha Joshi]

'Of distant Universe
and its lonely heartbeat"
It is so vivid and awesome!
keep it up!

[Leigh]

Will try, thank you

[AprilRN1210]

first impression as reading it was the struggle, the journey, the beauty that is life told from a different perspective in an enchanting way.. then I get to the end, and all I can hear is Tweety Bird in my ear saying, "I thought I saw a pussycat, I did, I did".. and it made me giggle... this piece if you look can be as deep as the ocean.. kinda makes me think of the saying, not sure how it goes, but how the journey is the destination.. how you have the key to the secrets you have been looking for inside of you the whole time.. the imagery here is stunning..

my favorite would have to be:
"Listening to the sound
Of the distant universe
And its lonely heartbeat"... you can see, hear, feel... I work in labor and delivery and listening to the sounds of the infant in womb, and then also hearing what the infant hears is profound.. they even make stuffed animals now that recreates the sound for them as a soothing tool.. it can be lonely distant--confusing.. but it can be comforting, guiding, and helpful as well.. I think this is a lovely thought-provoking piece.. well done..

[Leigh]

Wow well there's a review, this must have taken you some time. You are right about the 'thought I saw a Catfish' line :-) lol, but it needs to be kept in.

[Angela Proctor]

Amazing I actually could see it I love your writing so full of life

[Leigh]

Thank you Angela

[Donald]

A very beautiful poem, full of imagery and imagination.

[Leigh]

Thank you very much

[The Black Warrior]

Love this poem, great imagery… You beautifully painted a picture in my head. Very engaging, love the choice of words. I enjoy reading it!

Thank you for sharing,

Suk

[Leigh]

You are very welcome

[Colton Warr]

Excellent use of words here. You painted a perfect picture, telling a mysterious story. I loved every word. Thanks for writing!

[Leigh]

Glad it stirred your thoughts

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This had several levels for me. Having recently watched a large pike swimming in a river I could see the imagination wondering where it was heading. But at the other level it felt like it was describing life in time and space with the fish and river as the metaphors. whichever it was a stimulating read Leigh.

[Leigh]

Great, nice review, you are kind

[Dayran]

An incredible mix between something as big as the universe ... and a catfish on the Thames. Little surprise then to find that ... it could have been a shadow ... of the clouds on the water and yet ... thoughts ... carry us further than the realms of reality. Nice ...

[Leigh]

Thames, Severn or Trent, who knows. Thank you for your imaginative thoughts that reality add to my poem.

[redflutterby]

Theres a mystical aspect to this poem...very lovely. Thanks for sharing it!!

[Leigh]

...& thanks for your kind words