fish in a tank

a fish
was swimming
in a tank

when a
large hand
reached in
and started to
hold it

the hand said
oh, my hand
was so hot
and now it is
so cool
holding you

the fish said
wow, i like this
too. i am so glad
you are here.

and for awhile
the fish forgot
about the water
and forgot
about the tank

it felt that smooth
hand caressing
all of its wild parts
and felt wet and
known

and then the hand
said, well, better
get back
to my body
i've got so many
people to see

and the fish
wondered
about its tank
it wondered
about its stripes
it wondered all
over again
when it could
ever forget
it was swimming
when it would
ever quit worrying
about drowning
if it would ever feel
happy to be held
again.