Welcome to Poetry Friday where Wondermonger’s journey continues.

Today, she meets Bigfish. The beginning of the story is here.

Another Friday has come and gone. And this week, Laura Shovan hosts Poetry Friday. Thanks, Laura. And be sure to check out her blog and see what other poets have to say–or join in and share some poetry you wrote or some that you like.

 

The Wondermonger visits Bigfish

The poem:

Bigfish, Bigfish grant my wish

      I am not a wish-granting fish.

But can you help me on my quest?

         My answer is definitely, maybe yes

         Or maybe not—you can give it a try.

         But I can’t tell you the reason why.

         I’ll tell you something you don’t understand

        That’s who I am—it’s my brand.

I want to bring back the wonder

        My answer is a crash of thunder.

You’re right—I don’t know what you mean

Can you tell me more from your lips so green?

           Your wish will be granted if you’ll only stay true

           To gathering stories, sticking to them like glue.

But you said no wishes—oh, never mind

I’ll go on my way. Thanks for your time.

         Take me back with you and I’ll be your friend

          I’ll sing sweet songs and sprout tails without end.

Thank you, dear Bigfish, I couldn’t wish for more

I’ll share what I have, for richer or poorer.

 

And so the two friends went on their way

To save the Land of Crystal caves without delay.

The story

To the cave

The oddest assortment of friends the Wondermonger had ever seen led her through winding paths and chiming crystal trees to what looked like a hole in the ground.

The Wondermonger peeked inside. The cave glowed with crystals and way in the back, she thought she saw a pond.

“Is that Bigfish’s pond?” she asked. But when she turned around, all the Crystal-dwellers had disappeared.

She took a deep breath and lowered herself into the cave. As soon as she dropped to the ground, she heard a humming sound. It grew louder as she approached the pool. Bigfish sang and a number of worms and flies sat around the edge of the pond, eyes glazed and swaying to the music.

The Wondermonger meets Bigfish

Bigfish snapped up a fly and said (with his mouth full!), “It’s about time you got here!”

The Wondermonger wondered if she would be next on the menu. She stared at Bigfish’s large green teeth.

“I will not eat you, child. My diet consists of insects and plants–and, of course, stories. I am glad you have come here. For I have many secrets to share with you. I have spent more time than you can possibly imagine listening to the stories of the crystals and soaking up the deep wisdom of the water.”

The Wondermonger found herself swaying with the flies and worms.

Bigfish has a lot to say!

But Bigfish didn’t even pause.

“In your world, you have Google. It contains much information and much misinformation. But you People of Earth concern yourself too much with facts and not enough with the deep truths. Even your children are stuffed with facts and kept busy from dawn until moonrise–and beyond. They don’t have time to listen to the songs of nature or find the stories that live inside them. You are like sandcrabs–burying yourself in the little tiny sand-crystals and not seeing the bigger picture.”

The Wondermonger found herself growing sleepy. Bigfish’s song was soothing–and boring.

He paused to slurp down a worm. He took a deep breath–preparing to continue.

“I’d best be going,” said the Wondermonger.

“That’s another problem with you people. You are always in a hurry. Take some time. What’s the rush. If you pause, you’ll find the wisdom within yourself.”

“Your cave still grows brightly,” said the Wondermonger. “But many of the caves have grown dim and some have begun to crumble. I don’t want to lose track of my mission. Can you help me?”

More Bigfish blah-blah

“I can’t grant your wish, but if you listen, you might learn something.”

The Wondermonger noticed that both of Bigfish’s eyes–which usually looked in different directions–were both looking right at her.

“Take me with you,” he said. “I can help you. Together, we can save this land. I might even grant your wish!”

“But you just said…”

“Come, we must leave immediately. There’s no time to waste. No more dilly-dallying. No more shilly-shallying.”

“But you said I needed to pause.”

“Don’t quote me to myself!”

“And you’re a fish. How will you breathe out of the water?”

“My dear child, the water is but a metaphor. I can swim and breathe anywhere. But you’ll have to fibrate me when we return to your world if you want to see me.”

Off on the next adventure

With that, Bigfish jumped out of the water and began swimming through the air.

The Wondermonger wanted to ask where they were going next, but she had to run to keep up.

Wondermonger and Bigfish’s journey will continue…

But that’s all for today.

Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo