For which would have more to tell?
The bird – who flies above all the land –
Or the fish – who swims below –
If chosen the bird, what would conversation hold?
Talk of war and famine –
Perhaps small talk on the newly achieved thickness
That we humans have placed in the air.
And if chosen the fish – then what is to be said?
Sure, he can tell me great stories –
Perhaps of a tragic sinking of one such great a ship,
And his explorations of its remains on the ocean floor –
But which offers the better?
To talk or to listen – then more questions arise.
Which is the more respectable pursuit?
Or is there any more respectable pursuit –
That to seek knowledge from either bird of fish
Given, the bird offers lessons on freedom
While the fish lessons on confinement
As an American, perhaps confinement is the better to learn of
Seeing as freedom is our ultimate pursuit –
But then, to seek the robin or the owl -
The catfish of the common goldfish?
For each offers the unusual –
My thoughts are contained.
