Inspired by A Fishy Story by Judith Clay
the city is stinking of fishy stories -
thick-waisted mayor drinking &
winning arm wrestling match vs Hulk Hogan
a side-show to entertain while revelers
become ill from the monstrous fat burger dish
we drive to hyped-up festival in crowded freeway
asphalted thick with insurance premiums
justified by whom we wonder if there are
hidden fees calculated in simple living, free
of poisoned air we're breathing -
we're paying but who is catching the crooks & liars
milking this city in debts, they said this park & lake
are free for all (except for parking fees), but some people
end up with nothing & less: no benefits-menial jobs,
buying sale of expired items in basic stores, scraping by -
tell me the story again
of the Japanese who decided to leave his city job
for underwater photography, to behold a cathedral
of ocean sands by an artist, a puffer fish
his single fin, a brushstroke, a ridgeway of bridges
and in the center bed: lay his love, gentle as waves
the water rises, and up we scramble to
be dry as newspapers, littered with toll free customer service #
we'll never call, so between us fish-
take everything here with a grain of salt
but even that will cost you 13% GST/HST (ON taxes) extra-
Posted for: D'verse poets pub - Poetics
The amazing story of the puffer fish creating an elaborately designed crop circles as part of a mating ritual is true. You can read/view more about it here.
Ah.. but at least we still have newspapers... It can become worse I'm afraid.. but those adds were I'm never targeted... and it's even worse while browsing (unless I look for a young Russian wife). Great combo of the fishes and the newspaper connected.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, fishy stories seem to abound these days. Everywhere. And fees add up even if something is said to be free. And toll free customer service can end up being the most expensive call all around.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought of CS calls like that Mary but you are right ~ Thanks for the visit ~
Deletefishy indeed...love the prick at politics up from and how expensive they make life be to line their pockets & keep their lifestyle without regard to anyone else....what a story on that puffer fish as well....take everything with a grain of salt indeed...ha
ReplyDeleteJust a tiny prick at things around here Brian ~ Thanks for the visit ~
DeleteSounds a lot like the school board in my town. Interesting facts about puffer fish.
ReplyDeleteReally Laurie but it can be anywhere actually ~
Deleteha - sometimes you have to wonder - fishiy stories indeed... i like that part with the japanese who left his job to do underwater photography and how you build this in...
ReplyDelete..and how cool on the puffer fish and the circles they leave during their mating ritual...ha...i have to show this to my husband...smiles
I read about him, how cool to follow your passion ~ The blog is full of interesting things, including that puffer fish video ~
DeleteI like the opening line and how you mix snippets of news and the facts about the puffer fish.
ReplyDeleteYes, news here in Toronto & my part of the world ~ Thanks for the visit ~
DeleteYour words carried me along just like the fish in the sea. Powerful write. Made me think how my city is bankrupt right now. I have no comprehension of what that really means.
ReplyDeleteSharp, witty, angry - an interesting take on the picture!
ReplyDeleteYou blend political commentary and a cry for humanity in a flowing and ultimately beautiful concatenation. I loved learning about the puffer fish, nature is endlessly fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThat puffer fish is something else ~ Thanks Anna ~
Delete...now that smells fishy... but you're not alone with your plea Grace... ha, come back here & you'll surely smell the decaying scent of Filipino agonies... ha... i pay taxes from my hard earned compensation to finance same projects year after year that never actually improved... you must paste this poem right in the face of those ugly fat alligators who take more than what is just enough... hihi... excellent piece & strong enough to homerun... smiles...
ReplyDeleteI know the current state specially with the floods, what else is new ~ We have our own share too but its not so bad & rampant ~ Thanks Kelvin ~
DeleteFishy stories... I liked your apt representation, quite in accordance with the title of the art piece.
ReplyDeleteEverything is fishy in the political world. You can't figure out the "who, what, when" of it.
I liked it.
I agree, thanks for the visit ~
DeleteA good write Grace.>KB
ReplyDeleteThanks KB ~
DeleteYou learn something new every day . . . love the info on the puffa fish. Love the link between fish and newspapers but being a brit my mind goes to good ole fish 'n' chips. :0)
ReplyDeleteI love fish and chips ~ Glad you liked the video link on puffer fish ~
DeleteAmazing in what politics can do all at the expense of the taxpayer. What is deemed free is always a catch that taxpayers end up paying. The puff fish is an interesting take! Great write Grace!
ReplyDeleteHank
There is nothing free here Hank, everything is paid out of taxes ~ Thanks for the visit ~
DeletePolemics rise on more and more blogs these past few weeks, Grace. I've been thinking almost solely along those terms of late - how to incorporate but remain poetic. It's not easy, except, perhaps, for Neruda. I haven't written for this prompt but was looking directly at the picture you chose before even reading yours - funny. Not sure if I'll get to this one but Ms. Clay's art is indeed whimsical. Have a great weekend. ~ M
ReplyDeleteI am not into a full blown political rant, but I do complain every now and then ~ Tough to blend real issues into a poetic piece ~ Would be interested to see what you come out with ~ Smiles ~
DeleteSo very true in your rant haha the cat approves. Stupid politicians filling their pockets and doing stupid things while everyone else suffers from their stupidity, yet most people buy it to.
ReplyDeleteI think most are just too lazy or indifferent and hopes that somebody will do it later ~ The sad thing is that these politicians are running for re-election, ahh ~
DeleteAny tale of taxation is fishy. It's hard to trust the government with money these days. Kind of spoils the moment, but not your tale.
ReplyDeleteI like your poetic commentary about the state of politics and the stories that politicians spin.
ReplyDeleteAh... this is just so perfect for what's happening int he Philippines just as Kelvin mentioned. The corruption stinks more than the natural tragedy that the people recently suffered.
You had me on your first line! And then, I bought the entire trip hook, line, and dry news-paper. I loved the underwater cathedral and the puffer fish ... and the wordplay of fish and fishy. Rather Brilliant, dear Grace!
ReplyDeleteHa...great critique of the political and environment aspects of our culture...a little over my head even....as Susan states well...inspired!!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of fishy stories in politics...right here too at this moment,. I did love the puffer fish as an artist... Excellent stuff!
ReplyDeleteThis is a truly amazing take on today and the world we live in. So real.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem...and that little GST/HST bit a nice gem for your fellow Canucks (I'm from SK)
ReplyDeleteWow - Grace writing protest! That is something different and well done too; still at center, there is beauty, nature, fish swimming, and a loving center. The you in your poetry is always present. Great work!
ReplyDeleteA political statement..a different voice from you..but, I know about taxes
ReplyDeletethey tax everything where I live..nice job conveying the message.
"Asphalted thick with insurance premiums," well, you have my heart with this one, Grace! It's cynical as hell, and I love it, yet you still have that "Tell me the story of...,' which is charming, as well as the puffer fish story, which seems like a Big Fish Tale, but I shall investigate.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed this prompt to the wall, and good on you! Amy
Clever, and for those of us who know the news and the back story, a very wry commentary! Well done!
ReplyDelete