memory of a goldfish

Lily Pillsbury - February 8, 2024

Artwork by - Alexis Norris

swimming,

swimming,

swimming,

bubbles follow my fins,

giving away my path.

i see my neighbor

in the glass wall, and

he swims too. he 

irritates me, 

copying my every move.

i swim over to him and 

tap

my fin against the glass. 

he taps too.

wait! 

that’s my bowl, 

my plants, 

my hideaway!

where is he?

is he… me?

we look the same—

our scales are the same orange hue,

our fins are both long and flowy.

i wave and he waves too.

he stares back at me,

eating only when i do.

i stare 

longingly at him,

gliding, flowing, spinning,

following my lead.

holy swish—

my rival,

my neighbor,

my enemy—

finally i know who he is.

he

is

me!