Tribute to a Small Life

 

Death is inevitable

For you now,

I guess.

Motionless you lie there

A hint of life only in your eyes

As they see me approach.

I reach to touch you

And you react----

Heavier breathing

Your mouth moving

In voiceless speech.

I am touched

For you know I'm here.

I've brought you to my room

During the nightly vigil

So you won't be alone

In the cold, dark depths.

A flurry of life

Suddenly flows through you

As you move about

Frantically.

You even try

To eat,

But your energies

Quickly ebb.

You must rest.

I am so helpless

I can only watch

In this

Your third day of struggle

With life and death.

But there's no one

To help

This shimmering,

Gossamer creature,

A dime-store goldfish.

                                                                                                                                                               

I have loved you,

Taken care of you

As best I can;

Held you gently,

Forcing water through

Your failing gils.

Your silent affection

Is obvious

As you swim wildly

Back and forth

In front of your bowl

When you see me.

Long ago,

I trained you to come

To the top

By pointing my finger up.

Now, obediently,

You struggle up

Only to sink

Slowly down,

Your strength fading.

A dainty, water butterfly,

So wondrously delicate

You've given me quiet pleasures.

Two years

Is such a short time

To know you.

But, alas, your time here

Is gone.

When I awoke,

Your lifeless body

Was floating

On top of the water,

Grotesquely bent,

Your graceful tail

Drooping downward.

No more

Breathing.

 

B. Benjamin

Free Verse