she understands

lonely,

i by a goldfish.

but i don't give it a name.

whether girl or boy,

i don't

want to become too

attached.

and feel the heartbreak

when it dies

when i have to flush

it down

the drain.

the first week is good.

i sprinkle food 

on the water,

as it nibbles,

coming up from the plastic

seaweed

and castle that i've

planted on the bottom

with sand.

it stares at me,

with longing eyes.

i watch as it swims,

it's gills

opening and closing.

i think it

understands.

so much of the world

we perceive to be good,

is actually a lie.