Another dreamy fishpond afternoon,
Shubunkins and Koi lazily glide out,
From depths of lily pad shade to surface,
Father checks out the aeration system
All is well, he scatters flakes of food,
Then gently feeds marshmallows to big blue,
This very old fish was first in the pond,
Must be almost thirty five years ago.
Dad holds pink cube in finger and thumb,
This champion koi takes it in his lips,
Gently slurps it down, and moves slowly off.
Such memories do not fade easily.
Dad’s long gone but there are still dreamy carp,
In the bottom of his treasured fishpond,
Hope I see them once more, with marshmallows.

Harry Rogers, in the Red Bedroom, 2nd February 2021.