Just a Fish in a Bowl

by Duckysarah

My students assigned the parameters listed above the poem as my writing task during one of my poetry units this last year. The poem I wrote is utilizing those parameters. It is a bit of a parody, based on various popular movies and songs. Your challenge: Who/What is the fish in love with? This is my first post.

I wrote this poem on my own during my students' writing time within our poetry unit. The parameters are listed below (they chose them for me). Enjoy.

Speaker: A fish living in a doctor's office
Occasion: Young love
Subject: Love at first sight
Tone: Dramatic w/bouts of anger
Narrative Style: Slam poem

A Fish In a Bowl

One wouldn't think that my life, full of flakes, castles, and hidden treasures,

Could be so challenging or heartbreaking

There is more to me than gills and fins…but you wouldn't know it

if…you asked him….over there…

"I'm just a fish, swimming in front of a man, asking him to love her"

I have plenty to offer...my e-harmony account says so…
"young fry; master swimmer, great listener" it says…

Don't let the cold-blood fool you
"You make me want to be a better fish"

Don't act like I can't see you…that coyness is clearly an act

You make soft, reassuring noises that seem to "Hummmmmm" to my
fishy soul

You greet all who approach you with an inner light that seems to
brighten the room

You are sweet, sour, rich, tart, and salty, all in a strong, steel-encased
package.
"You complete me"

I'm trapped by the confines of my man-made cage

But I have loved you from afar for most of my aquatic life

Thoughts of you continue to flow through my mind, like the waves of my
homewater
"You had me from wrrrr, kerplunk, cling cling cling"
This message to you may end but my love never will

You cannot escape me forever
"Someday, my prince will come"
because nobody can keep fishy in a corner,

You are king of my world and I will never let go.

I'll never…let…go