one more small loss in the immense field of losses
the orange koi survived the embers
weathered the flames
withstood the ash
through it all they swam circles
in the little stone pond
but the day came when the bulldozer
rumbled and scraped and wrought
smooth dirt where their little depression had been
some things are not survivable
not all allegories have happy ends
now this earth bears
their quiet little bodies, too
to the trout in the koi pond
your rosy-brown length
flows around the lilies
hunting with purpose
so unlike
the lackadaisical golden fish
used to fluttering their ruffles
in this calm pond
(now taking cover
under flat pancake leaves)
my heart jumps
to see you stirring things up
reclaiming this corralled spring
for the unwelcome wild
but the mystery deeper than your origin
is why they want you caught;
why they choose dolled-up koi
over your elegant authentic self
