Quality Containers

I am going to open a small store and sell

exotic fish; a small store in a three store strip

center located on the corner lot that front

faces the neighborhood where I live, work, and pray.

On the end is a donut shop, the anchor tenant,

“Baker Donuts” and two empty spaces next to it

for lease. There I’ll stock African cichlids that originate

from the lakes in the Great Rift Valley like Lake Malawi.

Cichlid collections, kept in crystal clear tank circles,

attracting casual cyclist parties and walkers alike.

Passing by, you’d stop in too, browsing generous contents

of colorful livestock, aquatic life scenes, and

my aquariums - double polished daily – (my

workday penance offered at three pm, just after

my regular break, a coffee and donut next door,

to the cause of new beginnings, this existence) -

tell of the clean, quality containers that I'd sell.

With easy access lids and fish nets, I’ll fish fish for

expectant customers and commercial clientele;

a gentle plop splash back into its community

while others are dropped into clear plastic baggies

with explicit acclimating and social

distancing instructions to go with every sale.

Peaceful scenes, bubbles by purring primed pump motors

surround stripes and shimmering scales. Full, vibrant health,

the sick are healed. Aqua, electric blues, shiny dime bright

silvers, mustard stripes, tinged and tawny lateral lines,

fluorescent fins; my planetary residents

begin to exist, were caused, loved, and now wait your

adoption; their care a delight to all at your place.

Great gifts from the Master, the Maker, the Creator,

I’m opening a fish store next to Baker Donuts.

Gary Edward Geraci