I Am In The World Poem by Paul Reed

I am in the world
I was born today
Along with my brothers and sisters
Some black, some white, some grey

Into a world of water
I was crudely thrust
And instinctively swam to the surface
Where I spotted dust

That might just be food
Caught in the tank light's glow
But I was too vulnerable
To the older fish below

So I stayed hungry and swam lower
And hid in the greenery
And patiently bided my time
Whilst admiring the scenery

I grew afraid when after a while
A big blue scoop appeared
And swept me up and out
Into a safe net to be reared

Along with my thirty-odd siblings
And now we dart and glide
In a fascinating pattern
As we slowly find our stride

In this world of filtered water
And gradually gather our strength
Until we are of sufficient size
Sufficient breadth and length

To survive back in the big tank
Back amongst the bigger fish hurled
But for now it's enough to know
That I am in the world