One fish, or: Two fish

Posted on January 3, 2021January 4, 2021 by ben Alexander

The curmudgeon went clumping along,
Mouthing a rude, curmudgeonly ~
      BLEH!
                                       RUBBISH!
   He was thinking 'bout all that was wrong
   With those rhymers with whom he didn't ~
         HARUMPH!
                                          FEH!

   A poet of whom he wasn't so fond
   Had approached him, but he didn't ~
         UGH!
                                          GO AWAY!
He'd turned, stomping off to dun pond
Where he'd oft go to stare off ~
      FIDDLE STICKS!
                                      SCREW 'EM!

Stunned to see the fish cavorting in pairs,
He was caught totally ~
      WHAT?
                                      AAAAH!
   Sinking, gurgling desperate prayers
   Wet, dark death to which nothing ~
         Nnn...
                                          BLGRBRGLRGBL!

   They glided 'bout him, bubbling rhymes
   Tinkles deep in his mind, fine bell chimes
         ???
                                          ???
Nudging gently, time after time
Sweetest kisses like stanzas sublime
      ...
                                      ...

Laying gasping ashore
He'd transformed at his core
   Verses soulful poured forth
   From mild man; curt curmudgeon... no more

30 thoughts on “One fish, or: Two fish”

Nelson January 5, 202106:53 Reply

Reblogged this on Love and Love Alone.
Asha Oya January 4, 202120:14 Reply

Yummy poem!
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202120:16 Reply
  
  Heehee…
  😋🍰
  
  Thanks so much, Asha!
  
  -David
short-prose-fiction January 4, 202117:38 Reply

Gorgeous piece. Beautifully executed.
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202117:41 Reply
  
  I’m glad you liked it, Gabriela – I think it takes an acquired taste to fully appreciate 😉
  
  (I would imagine that those who love playing with words would be best suited to fully “getting” this one)
  
  -David
  1. short-prose-fiction January 4, 202117:42 Reply
    
    My pleasure. Those who love playing with words and those who think you are brilliant. I belong to both categories.
    xoxo
    1. ben Alexander January 4, 202117:44 Reply
      
      👉👈
      1. short-prose-fiction January 4, 202117:45
        
        🤗
Ashley January 4, 202115:04 Reply

Great fun and witty too! Like ABVR I’m unsure of the connection to the man in the photo?
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202115:57 Reply
  
  I was just looking for a pic of a grumpy “curmudgeon” 🤷🏻
  
  -David
abvr January 4, 202110:12 Reply

I’m highly surprised by the choice of photo.
Why is it that this good looker is so mean.
I’m a little disturbed.
Well all those sounds are hilarious and it’s a relief and funny to read how they found release, even though I don’t understand half of everything.
And from that perspective, you’ve nailed it
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202110:35 Reply
  
  Abi, what do you not understand? I am happy to try to explain.
2. ben Alexander January 4, 202116:12 Reply
  
  BTW, regarding the photo, I was looking for a stock photo of a “curmudgeon”
KK January 4, 202108:25 Reply

A mind boggling poem! And what a pic! I loved usage of words like Harumph and Feh. Great👍
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202109:32 Reply
  
  I was having fun 🙂
  
  Thx,
  David
paeansunplugged January 4, 202107:44 Reply

What a transformation! Lol David…a fun rhyme!
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202109:31 Reply
  
  Thanks, Punam 😀
  1. paeansunplugged January 4, 202110:15 Reply
    
    You are welcome, David. 😀
lssattitudeofgratitude January 4, 202106:56 Reply

Nice job David.
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202109:30 Reply
  
  Thanks so much, Lauren!
Diana January 4, 202106:51 Reply

I actually pictured this in my mind!! Funny and charming….. ❤️❤️❤️
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202109:37 Reply
  
  ❤
  
  It was fun to write too!
Michele Lee January 4, 202105:32 Reply

I love your bubbling rhymes and your imaginative story that poured forth. 😉
Fun and creative poem, David. 🐟🐟 😁 Nice job with formatting too.
What inspired this poem, may I ask?
1. ben Alexander January 4, 202109:35 Reply
  
  It’s a bit odd, but I tend to imagine words and poetry as somehow manifesting in the real world. I just wondered to myself… what would a poem look like if its style reflected the main character’s attitude towards poetry?
  1. Michele Lee January 4, 202116:12 Reply
    
    Interesting. I love what you manifested from your “odd” thoughts. 😁 I have had similar and percolating thoughts about poems existing beyond the page. Thank you for offering insight about your creative process.
    1. ben Alexander January 4, 202116:13 Reply
      
      💗
Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet January 3, 202122:29 Reply

A charming poem, David. Love the photo, too! Your humor brightens my day! ❤
1. ben Alexander January 3, 202122:30 Reply
  
  Thanks so much, Cheryl 😀
2. Andrew Blair January 4, 202102:49 Reply
  
  He is a true Word Smith
  I am dreaming a picture of my own💦
  1. ben Alexander January 4, 202109:25 Reply
    
    You are kind, Andrew ❤