The Fish 

What a beautiful day!

Actual sun in Ohio.

Warm breeze.

She looked out the window

and saw flashes of orange in the pond. 

Her husband, who could do anything

when he put his mind to it,

had built it for her.

When he put the fish in,

she questioned whether

they would survive the winter. 

He reassured her in his confident voice

and his half amused chuckle,

“Oh yeah, dear, they’ll make it.”

Now she walked out and watched them,

looking lively with their little fins twitching.

So they did survive the winter.

He didn’t.  

Now, she felt like the fish

must have felt

in the cold and dark,

waiting for the spring thaw,

wondering if she’d make it

to see the sun shine again.

She imagined

his confident, gentle voice

with his little chuckle,

“Yes, dear, you’ll make it.

You’re stronger than the fish.”