They Have Fish That Live in Trees

[jisbell00]

They Have Fish That Live in Trees


and not just any kind of fish; these are beautiful fish,
fish you will remember. every day,
you learn something new about the world.
this has been going on since childhood.

now the arctic ice is melting,
the shipping lanes are opening in the north.
birds are swimming north in the sky’s vast ocean –
you will never see these birds again.

[Macavity]

Eye hooking title John. The sense of departure, extinction, in the poem translates a sadness. More mariners' tales?

[jisbell00]

Hi Phil,

Yup, this one feels sad to me too. This is indeed a marine sequence in the MS. The title is a throwaway line from this movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thin_ ... 1998_film)

Cheers,
John

[Macavity]

Apparently the mangrove killifish spend some time in trees!

[jisbell00]

I had no idea! But mangroves seem likely in the Pacific, where that movie is set. Mangrove killfish - now there's a name.

Cheers,
John

[ton321]

Nice opening line

but really??

T

[jisbell00]

Apparently!

Cheers,
John

[ton321]

Do you want me to say what you think I want to say?

[CalebPerry]

Interesting poem, Tony. It is engaging, if a little enigmatic. I like the flow of the language. I'll keep reading it until the light bulb in my head goes off.

[jisbell00]

Hi Tony,

I took it you were wondering whether this really happens. Apparently it does. You're welcome to say if you had something else in mind!

Cheers Caleb. The title came first, and the poem followed.


Cheers,
John

[CalebPerry]

Why did I think that this was Tony's poem? So sorry, John.

[jisbell00]

No problem, Caleb! Tony writes good poetry.

Cheers,
John