covenant of small fishes

Covenant of Small Fishes

it was too dangerous alone
in the big water
so they were certain he would sign
it would be suicide to glide
in that sea of treacherous eyes
open to all sorts of demise
when there was a perfectly worded
covenant of small fishes
providing the protection
of a known flow
so well ridden it was possible
to swim with your eyes shut
but he constantly deviated
and detoured and diverted
the sanctity of the school
stalled on reefs
drifted upwards in odd caverns
brushed slow motion flowers
too far away from group endeavors
until it became obvious
that they had to swim on
for as the secretary noted
he was a floater.

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

While reading this, I was reminded of "Paddle To The Sea", which is not only a similar story (a small hand-painted toy boat floats the length of the Missisippi to the ocean) but the finest piece of film-making I have ever seen, bar none. We are all, in spite of ourselves, drawn to the safety in numbers and least-common-denominator of the covenant you describe here, not only because of the safety but the unnerving possibiltiy that we become a "floater", a mere footnote. It is that last notation that gives the piece it's depth, separating it from something two-dimensional and black-and-white, a la "Jonathan Livingston Seagull." It takes a true artist to make magic with shades of gray.

[Helen Crutchett]

Imagery great, unique and enjoyable. The last line troubled me though. Isn't that what they call dead bodies when they drown in the water? Thank you for submitting this to my "Keeping the Dream Alive"! ~ Helena

[papaed]

Refusing to follow the crowd. Making his own destiny. Being different. A floating fish. Certainly addresses the subject of destiny well. Thanks for sharing.
Peace,
papaed

[angelina neves]

beautiful!

[raining]

like stream of consciousness (sorry the pun) this poem is like a condensed can of soup. A story that is in a small amount of words, but when listened to gives the reader a satisfying meal of thought.

[Jibey]

Cleverly worked out - and a nice way of describing someone who wont fit in and goes his own way...

[Ed Hart]

amidst all the "poetry" of angst and denial and burdened hearts posted at the cafe, it is my almost daily pleasure to refresh myself from the fount of your busy pen...

[Emily B]

I would still rather be the little fish in the big pond and go my own way . . . flouting the safety of the group endeavor. Amazing stuff, Phibby . . .

[Collect-Eye]

I'm wary of drifters myself, but in my case I'm probly projecting...IDK, it's hard to be serious after the word floater..amazing piece of writing, from the title all the way through, though