Tank with Goldfish

Freeverse

Sometimes we see a glint of gold or red

emitted sudden as a warning through

the greening water of the old square tank outside,

an evanescent wink from just beneath

the awning of the lolling lily pad.

Within this viridescent bulk of water pushing

against the stark and square formality of fibreglass,

the teasing crimson twinkle

frees our eyes from what had become

the prison of their gaze in which they were held

unblinking by the flat rigidity

of unremitting quadrilateral form.

Once more a gleam of carmine charms our eyes

into the still, green patina of this exotic liquor -

another world, so far removed

from our dull logic of normality.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

In a way they do reflect us...their life is of sameness, they probably long for some kind of freedom or notion that is outside of the tank...maybe we are swimming in our own tank...endlessly attached to our own lily pads, our own routines, our own rigidity...
maybe we are trapped in our own life patterns...swimming in repetitive strokes...
such a thoughtful piece this is.
j.

[Andrew John]

Thanks so much for your comment and observation, J. I wrote this - yes, another - quite some years ago. It's strange coming back to stuff one hasn't read for a good while. "Goodness gracious, who wrote this? Wow!"

[W. Barrett Munn]

Borderline brilliant. I am reminded of many: Frost, especially.
W

[Lisasview]

Hello Andrew,
My first read of yours and I must say I do like it. Makes one think as the metaphors do relate to life...right...Always love metaphors and though i never plan them they end up being in many of my poems... Like Innocence.
I really loves these lines of yours..
Once more a gleam of carmine charms our eyes
into the still, green patina of this exotic liquor -
another world, so far removed.
Lisa, American now living in Spain
from our dull logic of normality.