I Remember How Our Koi Poem by gershon hepner

I remember how our koi
used to flourish in our pond.
Now they’re in the world beyond
our piscine waterworld, ahoy
in an afterlife some fish
may yearn for, though I’m not
quite sure that is what I wish,
unless I’ve got inside my pot
fresh fish like halibut and trout
and salmon, which is best served smoked.
I don’t think I could live without
such fish once I’ve, decrepit, croaked,
but haven’t yet had koi, although
they say it’s similar to carp.
I hope to taste one once I go,
joined by an angel with a harp.

Linda has a friend, Altoon Sultan, who lives I think in Vermont and wrote to Linda, whose poetry she rightfully adores:

you have herons in the city? ! I have a small pond with koi, which thrived there; 6 became 50 over a few years. Then some critter came
and ate almost all of them. I bought a few more, and have to defend them each summer from the great blue heron who always comes for a visit each summer; I run out squawking when I see him.

Altoon’s email to Linda reminded me of koi that Linda and I have owned in the past, all of whom have gone to a better fish place.



12/4/09