goldfish

i walk over to the fish tank, 

sitting on the wooden stool, 

my legs swinging back and forth, 

admiring the way the water sparkles more

than the synthetic fish scales. 

a wooden pirate ship with bubbles floating from above the hull

is chasing a black plastic pirate ship. 

strange how the hero is after the villain. 

revenge?

all the fish like to hang out in the wooden pirate fish, 

especially the koi. 

the goldfish likes to hang out at the edge of the tank. 

i tilt my face in its direction, 

wondering if the goldfish sees itself 

or me, 

or maybe a distorted version of both. 

that's a scary thought to ponder about, 

so i stop, 

and eat a goldfish snack.