the females cost less than
the males smaller slimmer

shimmers of other
veiltails above blue

mustard throats swelling
dorsal fins fluorescents

distorted by wet walls
no one with eyes

& an anal fin deserves
flat plastic for a sky

even if it is cloudless
if it dies in less than 14 days

freeze the body & bring it back
for a full refund she hasn’t stopped

swimming since we brought
her home there’s so much

so much Under to explore
smooth stalks of the compacta

sword emerald leaves
suspended golden snail

tenderly mouthing the marimo
moss ball eyeblack filter

whirring stones blushing
deeply at first touch of clear

liquid that frets over
& over that soothes

the edges that offers her
enough room to breathe