Like schoolchildren, the baby koi swim in tandem with their older siblings, imitating their movements. The adults, large enough to swallow any of their children whole, move in viscous water, laboriously propelling their streamlined bodies forward with even movements.

fast slow stroke across
glass clear pond – swim back forth back
repeat forever

The younger ones, almost uniformly gray, flutter their fins, making waves in the otherwise tranquil pond. Only one has acquired the characteristic bright orange associated with adulthood. He wears the color awkwardly, but to onlookers he is like a ring in a murky pond – bright and beautiful.

storm cloud gray babies
camouflage against black rocks
save one sunshine koi


The air is clouded with the buzzing of bees; they are warriors cloaked in swaths of silk lemon and blackberry. Beside the pond, a honey-colored trellis rises from the ground seamlessly. Bubbles of darker wood mar the square columns.

like Atlas theirs is
eternal, to kneel before
royal wisteria