A Christmas for Fishes
(The Very First Fishmas)
Noel’s approaching, we all know about this–
But what is a Christmas to a tank full of fish?
We know all about this Christmas thing,
The sparkly lights and tinsel and strings,
And about Santa Claus, the joy he gives away
To children and families each Xmas day.
We know that he’s jolly, with his cheeks tinted pink,
But all of us here don’t know quite what to think.
While he’s making his lists, while he listens to wishes,
Can he hear the voice of some good lil fishes?
We’re nervous, we’re scared that we’ll be forgot,
And all this excitement will all be for naught.
When his reindeer are lined up in file and rank,
Will the jolly old man just fly past our tank?
The twinkle, the sparkles, the songs full of cheer,
We want the spirit of Christmas this year.
We decorated the best we can in our limited space,
With clings and bows all over the place.
We hope it’s enough to catch Santa’s eyes,
Our lil hearts break when we think he’ll fly by.
We close our eyes, we send out our wishes,
But what is this thing, this Christmas, to fishes?
We want bright shiny rocks, dried shrimp and some peas!
Decor for our tank, plants with colorful leaves,
Presents and gifts and stuff galore!
We want everything, and a little more!
We’re making a list, but we don’t have enough room
To list all that we want, and Christmas is soon!
How will Santa even know what to bring?
Oh, don’t forget, that autofeed thing!
We want this, we want that, we want it all!
Sparkly things and algae moss balls,
Pineapple houses and brand new sea shells,
We want it, we need it, and all will be well.
As we swam chaotic, an old elf appeared from nowhere.
We all swam away, rightfully scared.
His smile shone, his white beard flowed,
And we heard him speak, while we hid behind stones.
“I don’t think you get it,” he said, amused.
“You little fishies are a little confused.”
“Can’t stay too long, I’ll worry the missus,”
He said, “But let me explain this Christmas for fishes.”
The elderly elf’s eyes twinkled with light,
His voice was soothing, and we lost our fright.
We all gathered together, so we could hear
His words of wisdom about Christmas this year.
“It’s not all about all the presents you got,
I know it seems like it is, but it really is not.
It’s a feeling, a meaning, a deep soulful glow,
And once you feel it, I’m sure that you’ll know.”
We fidgeted a moment, but his words flowed in waves.
“It’s not about cost, or how much money was saved.
It’s the warmth found in giving, not the price of the gift,
It’s the smiles, the singing, the spirits you lift.”
We saw in his eyes, he thought the meaning was lost.
“You can’t measure love by how much it cost.
The spirit of Christmas isn’t something you buy,
It’s the shine of a smile, a twinkling eye.”
“It’s giving from the depth of your heart,
That’s where the true gift of Christmas starts.
Helping out those with nothing, with all you can do–
That is how the spirit finds you.”
“All that I ask is that you truly believe,
And I will be back here, on Christmas Eve.”
As his words floated by, there was a noise on the stairs.
We turned to look, and he disappeared,
But we heard his final words:
“Find what it is your heart truly wishes…
And you’ll find the Spirit of Christmas in fishes.”
We tried so hard, but it’s so hard to understand,
As we see commercials and ads laid across the land.
Buy this and get that, now so much is off,
Buy the ultimate gift, no matter the cost.
So we closed our eyes, thought what do we really need?
If we could have anything, is it bubbles or feed?
And as the cool water flows gently over our fins,
A new train of thought finally begins.
When we began, we were in a dark place,
Lost in our own world and floating through space.
We were weak, we were tired, and you heard the call,
So we thank you, we need you, we honor you all.
Laughter and jokes and smiles and joy
Are worth so much more than sparkles and toys.
A reason to race around and live every day
Is a present to get, and then give away.
So while we’ll love every stone, every piece of decor,
We’re learning that the holidays are worth so much more.
All of you there, you’re the answer to all of our wishes,
And the best present yet,
On a Christmas for Fishes.