Aquarium Poem by Shreej k.c

Whenever angst rules head, heart gets restless,
I keep my door open.
It shows me the tall mirror that reflects half
of the aquarium.
there appear and disappear- gold, barb and kalf
ad infinitum.

Do they know where they head?
is it will steering them or is it fate?
I wonder how they manage to radiate such a glow
or do they just submit to the flow?
Do they feel? Do they cry?
or they just wear this extraordinary dye
to keep out lame empathy, let nobody pry
Let nobody sigh.

Today is a little different.
I wake up with the bright sun,
go out unprepared to get drenched in heavy rain.
It's funny how weather confuses a little too
during this transition.

I reach home at dusk to find my nephew
as usual caressing these fishes, setting filters.
He shows me koi, carp and sweepers;
talks about flower horn, his plan to add neon tetra.
I ask him how about a piranha?
'Yes, a red belly piranha, but is deemed bad luck.'
I chuckle and say- then she must be my favourite!
his plan to add greenary, dreams and vision fine
gives a little flinch, how dearly I miss mine.
I ask, why always a green mossy tank?
How about purple? What if rainbow sank?
Just then a carp swims across the fake whale
dragging a stringy white tail behind
and the sweeper fish following its trail!
We laugh our belly out, sure to boost some immunity
then follows an awkward pause.
'Why don't you dry yourself? Why don't you care? '
It's funny nowadays to look at their antsy chary stare.
It's funny how everything looks funny nowadays.
it's a little different today.

Yes, the dark sky, thunderstorm and gloom outside
and I keep my door open
but like I said, a little different today;
my gaze shifts to the orange snail
rarely does it peep through its shell
hardly does it move an inch from its obsessed spot.
No wonder, these days, I keep my door open a lot!