The fish we kept has passed away

a sad and lonely death

all by itself in darkened tank

it took its dying breath

 

There were no clues to analyze

as those with pets expect

still death took on real tragedy

upon which we reflect

 

She took it very personally

having fed it every day

had oddly grown attached to it

and its peculiar ways

 

If hearts are played for sympathy

the fish wiggled into hers

who would think a single fish

could make such love occur

 

The hook was set, we might expect

she mothered it, it seems

oh how she went those extra steps

to love so small a thing

 

If one could love a lowly fish

then love was on display

her love was in the caring

she gave to it each day

 

With death came tears of sorrow

yet how should I reply

I mumbled words so hard to find

the least I could provide

 

Yet fumbled words add little

to a broken heart that cries

there are no words to lessen grief

a part of her has died.