My Fish Joshua. Four poems by Jacqueline Shor

ARTICLE INFORMATION:
Author: Jacqueline Shor
Title: My Fish Joshua, and other poems about bettas.
Summary: Jackie loved Joshua, her pet betta, and wrote two romantic poems for her pal - an upbeat one when he was alive and "dancing for me with antics and good cheer," and a heartrending one when he was "dying before my very eyes." Soon after, she adopted Abey, and was happy again...and later still a new friend, Rusty.
Contact for editing purposes:
email: jackie926@hotmail.com
Date first published: December 2004/February 2005
Publication: Aquarticles
Reprinted from Aquarticles:
June 2005: The Tank, North East Philadelphia Aquarium Society

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We will send one to Jackie.

I hope all won't think I am nuts! But my friend Joshua, my Betta, was a real pal to me for 2 and a half years! I miss him already!

My Fish Joshua
by Jacqueline Shor
of West Virginia
Aquarticles

I went to the pet store one day
It wasn't far to walk that way
I went over to the betta fish
They were all in a separate dish

I picked out one dark blue and red
Also bought a fish bowl
Where he could live and hang his head
He was a betta fighting fish
Joshua I did name him
Wow, you should see him swim

In his home, the fish bowl
I put a plant and coral inside
In this plant he loves to hide
When I feed him he goes crazy
He knows who I am
He is not lazy

He puts on a show for me that is true
He has beautiful colors of red and blue
So buy a fish and you will see
He will dance in the water for you
Like Joshua dances for me

My Crown Betta Fish Joshua
by Jacqueline Shor
of West Virginia
Aquarticles

Oh Joshua for three years
You were my pal you've been here
With your antics and good cheer
I will miss you my dear boy
You filled my heart with joy

Now you are dying my boy
My heart cries for you
I will miss you oh so much
No other fish has the touch

You may think I am crazy
Loving a fish this way
I guess it depends on the love
That is displayed every day

He is dying before my very eyes
Oh what am I to do
This is sad for me
Is this sad for you

So I will say Goodbye My friend
I pray that you will be
If there is a heaven for fishys
That is the place you'll see

Happy again!:

My Abey
by Jacqueline Shor
of West Virginia
Aquarticles

abey.jpg (19208 bytes)

I went to the pet store again
I found a cute little fish
Of the Delta Betta strain
I gave him Abey for a name

Put him in a bowl
And watched Abey unfold
What a personality
He's the cutest fish to me

His body moves with such a flow
Up and down the bowl he goes
His colors are deep blue
Light blue on his fins
This is where his life begins

The Betta fish are really grand
Everyone should have a Betta
You will understand
Buy a Betta and you will see
Just what Abey means to me

So much fun you will be
Loving that little fish
With his cute personality

Here's Rusty
by Jacqueline Shor
of West Virginia
Aquarticles

Went to a new pet store today
Saw a red Betta in my way
Oh how beautiful he is
I named him Rusty the whiz
He rests awhile on the rocks
Then he whizzes around the bowl
Here is a fish with soul

I had no way of knowing
I would meet Rusty today
When I walked by his dish
He put on a display
I hope he will eat his food
Right now he isn't in the mood

Betta fish bond with us right away
They do tricks in there bowl
No time to delay
Find out what I mean friends
The pleasure they give you
Will never end
Here is my new pal
Rusty's a boy not a gal

I love this fish already
Though this must sound petty
How lonely they must be
Alone in a fish bowl
For you and me to see

Looking forward to Rusty
Having a long life
As long as I take care of him
He will have no strife
Happy days are here again
With my Rusty for a friend