The Aquarium

I remember kicking my feet

one two, one two

hoping I could stay afloat

I only learned last year, I said

but the words were curtailed as

the show began

I feel like I’m on stage, you said

but the truth was our words were-

one two, one-

I become submerged

in the stagnant water

Don’t you like magic tricks?

the words are merely air bubbles

that can’t seem to reach

your ears

your assistant may be drowning

but you just stand on the diving board

a makeshift platform

as you conduct the schools

of words

they grow fins

learn flips

all to impress

my sunken lips