Netcees - A FISHY TALE

I watch from the edge of the tempered-glass ridge
- plotting revenge on the one that's kept me captive.
If you've ever had fish that you've placed in a tank
then I'll bet my back fin that they hate you for that!
The same thing must happen at every store within the city
"Take a look at this one, mom, isn't it pretty?"
"I want this little fishy!" the young nominal gasps
with sticky fingers insisting on prodding the glass.
I shot her a glance that conveyed my contempt
while gobbling gaseous bubbles to try and state my intent.
I knew the way this would end once I'd heard the noisy one shout
so I turned-tail and I left soon as she pointed me out!
I loitered around the gravel bed and iridescent accessories
avoiding for now the small fishing net from detecting me.
Sensing the end was near I gulped, and dove down below,
before I fled somewhat desperately into a shoal of my own.
With the net closing in slowly, I sped up my speed,
- I know it's ignoble but I'd sooner it was them and not me!
I wasn't ready to leave, though my primary concern
was that I'd seen so many deceived only to never return!
With my fins peddling nervously, I turned right and I baulked
to see my "friends" had dispersed, having realised I'd been caught!
I was prised from the water open-mouthed at what had just passed
where my eyes met the daughters holding me aloft in a bag.
"I promised my dad I'd take care of you," the custodian lied.
The polymer plastics properties choked my reply.
With a roll of the eyes, I was free falling through the air and quick -
plonking into a bowl on the side of a room that was garish pink.
The human I shared it with often bleated and blared
with all the usual superlatives like "I'll clean it, I swear!"
Within weeks I was scarcely even glanced at as she passed
& the over-feed from her parents started to gather in the tank.
The gravel pit was blackening where algae sits on the rocks
- she hasn't cleaned the glass in here since the filter was blocked.
So I swim in a clockwise motion with my head up against the cell
while thinking of what it would take to get out and save myself.
I delved in the dainty dwelling, where I thought for a bit,
and my impending fate propelled me even more than my fins.
This dirty waters beginning to grate on my gills
I swear the chlorine I'm swimming in's what's making me ill.
Maybe by building up momentum and staying close to the right,
I could escape it by tilting the fish bowl on its side?
But with oxygen low in supply, once the water displaced,
my only hope of survival would be a crawl to the drains.
All it would take was the smallest mistake and that would be it!
I really wasn't sure I would make it, so I sat dragging my fins.
The gravel I'd kicked up began floating atop
as I lapped up a drink, smacking my lips, and closely I watched.
A froth of foam carried flotsam that grouped at the edge
which the overseers' mom would sometimes remove with a net.
I knew in that second what awaited me since
if she presumed I was dead, I might just be able to live!
The wait is horrific but I give my best performance to date
and play dead implicitly, only blinking when sure that it's safe.
Hours sprawl into days; A wry smile leaves from my mouth
when the daughter exclaims "Mom, quick, Bieber has drowned!"
Keeping my mouth closed, the fish nets shadow hits my face
I feel it teasing me out of the water before it carries me away.
With a splash I give my tail a flick and swim for my life
having chanced on an escape tunnel within the pipe!
In the distance behind, I hear a flush hissing at me,
- and feel a wave whisking me by as I adjust diligently.
This must be freedom I think to myself as I open my eyelids.
If there's plenty more fish in the sea, here's hoping I find 'em...

FIN!