“IN THE LIQUID AIR (Funeral for Her Fallen Fellow Fish)” by JTK.CA

While a student at Valparaiso University (valpo.edu), Valparaiso, Indiana, from 1992 to 1995, I enjoyed hanging out in the Student Union’s upstairs lounge. I called it the Aquarium Lounge for the fish who made their home there.

One day I noticed a dead fish at the bottom of the aquarium. I know dead fish are supposed to float, but this one was lying on the pebbles at the bottom of the tank. And another fish was hovering over his body like someone mourning at her lover’s graveside. So, this is a true story, or, at least, my interpretation of a true story. Enjoy.

“IN THE LIQUID AIR
(Funeral for Her Fallen Fellow Fish)”
by JTK.CA

She struggles among questions/cares
And bug-eyed, buzzing (in water) stares
At him who is but isn’t there,
Having fallen from his aquatic air.

She hovers close, but at a distance,
Curious, but afraid of his motionless stance.
With the confusion see her dance
As he lies on the pebbles of fate and chance.

With a mind the size of a grain of sand,
See her struggle with the unplanned
And above an empty body stand
On the liquid graveyard land.

Lifeless there he lies below her.
That rambunctious fish will no longer stir
Nor entertain primitive love thoughts of her.
She cries dry tears in the liquid air.