Fish Names
How many colors in a rainbow?
As many as you can name.
How many fish in the ocean?
How many names?
I learned fish names from sushi menus,
fish names from endangered species lists,
names from aquariums,
from museums.
One day, I learned to swim in the ocean.
I learn fish names; I learn my fish.
The names tangle into a net:
A tuna is a mackerel.
An orca is a dolphin.
A dolphin is a whale.
A sheephead is a she, then a he.
A sargo grunts like a pig, but isn’t called one.
Looking down cerulean, prussian, ultramarine,
Twinkles and flickers rush and thrush
—A university of fish!
Are they
Anchovies, herrings, smelts, sardines?
Or
Dazzles, dream, flow, phantom, speed, allure …
Out of one dimension into another. Then,
Vanished, before
I could name them.
The ocean is so dark.
10.8.2025
I like both the beautiful compilation and arrangement of your words, and the video. How the light plays on the fishes is exquisite.
Thank you Alex. Often beauty in nature is too complex or transient for words, but attempts are still worthwhile.