RatesDaGoldfish

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.

A Very Chilli Fishmas Story

In the course of a year, a lot of things change,
Decorations and clings and stones rearranged.
We’ve tripled in size and added new friends,
Enjoyed every day with laughs that won’t end.

Now time is getting short, the twinkles are twinkling,
Outside the window the snowflakes are sprinkling.
We’ve had a year full of some hits and misses,
But for the youngest fish, it’s the first Christmas for Fishes.

Lil Chilli was born and had grown up with you,
His best buddy Marley is swimming here too.
The Platys, Selvesta.. Oh, you don’t know Sel yet..
We’ll make introductions, unless I forget.

As the season grew near, we told them the story
Of our last Fishmas, Santa’s visit and the Fishmas glory,
The warmth and the presents and the sparkling lights,
When Chilli spoke up– “Let me get this right..”

“So you say that an elf will just bring presents, then leave?
I’ll make this easy– I just don’t believe.
You can have your sparkles and holiday wishes,
But I think it’s silly, this Christmas for Fishes.”

Bubba was shocked, Molly was shattered.
“But Chilli..” she said, “What is the matter?
We told about Santa’s visit last year..
Why would you say that, with Fishmas so near?”

“Oh, I listened,” he said. “I heard every word.
I just think the story’s absurd.
Because you worried, Santa appeared all gleaming?
I think you were all just doing holiday dreaming.”

And with that he swam off, to be all alone,
Hiding behind his favorite stone.
And while the others all talked about their holiday wishes,
Chilli just thought about this Christmas for Fishes.

As the days passed he would not budge on his view,
And the others were worried, but what could they do?
He stayed up long past when the others were dreaming,
Swam back and forth, watching and scheming.

When finally one night, he saw the glow for himself.
Chilli rushed over to look for the elf.
He was disappointed when he saw the cause–
Instead of Santa, he saw Mrs. Claus.

She smiled sweetly, and quietly looked around,
And Chilli just whispered as the others slept sound.
“So instead of Santa himself, he sent the Missus..
To, what? Lecture me? On this Christmas for Fishes?”

Chilli spun so fast, he must have got dizzy.
“No, I need Santa! Please don’t say he’s too busy!
This is important, and I need him right now.
I don’t care what it takes, I don’t care how..”

Mrs. Claus laughed, her cheeks all aglow.
“I’m a Claus too, in case you don’t know..
What is it you want? What’s your holiday wishes?
We want you happy on this Christmas for Fishes.”

Chilli whispered “I’m scared” and left it at that,
So the old elf sat down, and took off her hat.
“You know we won’t miss you, we made that clear..
When we visited the tank at this time last year.”

Chilli shook his head. “It’s none of those things.”
“I know what the holiday brings.
I’m sorry, I really don’t mean to be rude,
I’m not really trying to have a bad attitude..”

“I just figured, maybe, if I said I don’t believe,
Santa would come and he would listen to me.
Spot keeps getting sick, sometimes you can’t tell,
But he’s never really truly quite well.”

“So it’s Santa’s magic, just that is all I need..
Make him all better, and then I’ll believe.”

Chilli watched as the elf’s eyes teared up and misted,
As she learned of his wish, on this Christmas for Fishes.

Mrs. Claus sat there speechless, she was not prepared.
This wasn’t the wish she thought she would hear.
Bubbles and glowy rocks, treats they could do,
But this was so different, she had not thought this through.

Chilli looked on, innocent eyes filled with tears.
“If you can’t do it, why are you even here?
You’re supposed to be granting our best Fishmas wishes!”
He shouted out, “You’re as useless as a Christmas for Fishes!”

When from behind, a voice said “Now Chilli, be nice!”
“You’ll wake up the others, and I won’t tell you twice.”
Slowly Spot swam to the front of the tank.
“You shouldn’t be rude, you should tell her thanks.”

Chilli’s anger melted into an onslaught of tears.
“I just want the best you for Fishmas this year.”
Spot smiled a half smile, and tilted sideways.
“Do you think I’m not best, because I act strange?”

“No, you’re the greatest!” Chilli said, looking down.
“That’s why I want this, so you’ll always be ’round.”

Spot looked at the Elf. “I’m sorry, Claus Missus..
But I think I should handle this Christmas for Fishes.”

Chilli started to turn, Spot said “Don’t swim away..”
“There’s a reason I’m thankful to see each new day.
It’s not shrimpy poofs or stones, it’s all that we do,
Because it’s one more day I am spending with you.”

“With my family of friends, I am already so blessed.
I may be different, but I’m still my best.
I’m warm, I am loved, I’ve got all my wishes,
There’s no need to fix me on this Christmas for Fishes.”

Chilli whispered “But you get so tired every time that we play..”
“I know, Little Chilli, so just love me today.
I’ve always been different, it’s just who I am,
From a time long before you first swam.”

“My fins aren’t strong, my mouth is not right.
Sometimes I sleep on my side at night.
And I can’t always do what the rest of you do,
But that never stopped me from loving you.”

The lady elf sniffled, and wiped off her eyes.
“I am sorry for the quiet, I was caught by surprise.
But Spot’s right, every day is granted through wishes.
He sees the true reason of a Christmas for Fishes.”

Spot flipped upside down.
“What you don’t understand is what I hold true..
We make our own joy in the things that we do.
I’ve never been broken, so there’s no fixing, you see..
I’m the very best me that ever will be.”

“I’m the happiest fish just being Spot,
Looking at all the good things I’ve got.
So I guess in a way, you got your wishes,
I am the very best Spot on this Christmas for Fishes.”

And it was on that, with a tale gone astray,
That a lesson was taught to someone that day.
Mrs. Claus stood up slowly, a gleam in her eye.
“I’ve one thing to say, before I say goodbye..”

“Thank you, dear Chilli, and our wonderful Spot.
You reminded me something I had somehow forgot.
I expected to hear about treats and some stones,
Bubbles and toys to fill up your home.”

“I was ready to give you new plants and a cave,
But I could never match the gift that you gave.
The Spirit of Fishmas, the holiday wishes,
Grows in the heart of this Christmas for Fishes.”

And as she turned and started to fade,
Spot shouted out, “I still have something to say!
We might have the Spirit, and your heart may be warming..
But I still expect treats on Fishmas morning!”

From all of the fish, the little snails too,
We wish the very best Fishmas for you.

The End.

Abe’s Ballad

You might think love’s lost under the waves,
buried deep in a pirate ship’s grave,
but I can tell you, I can tell you,
that’s not true.

You might feel like there’s nothing to save,
just broken dreams that have become enslaved,
but I can tell you, I can tell you,
that’s not true.

Just when you think you’re lost
out in the tossing sea,
I swear that you can look
and you will always just find me.
You’ll never be alone,
no matter where you roam,
if you’re holding on
to your memories.

You might think hope is lost to the tempest tossed,
and you just can’t justify the cost,
but I will tell you, I will tell you,
that’s not true.

You might feel like the darkness will always last,
but I know every storm will in some time pass,
and I can tell you, I can tell you,
that it’s true.

Just when you think the rain never ends,
a rainbow breaks across the sea,
and when you see the sun again,
I hope you think of me.

The shadows are gonna fade away
and the air will clear for you,
the warmth will fill another day
and my dreams reach out to you,
to make another memory.

Anchor

I always look around
and see what is surrounding me,
a million reasons to doubt,
be sad, and to be angry.

But I won’t let it beat me,
I’m better than all of that negativity.
Everything that weighs me down
only strengthens me.

Sometimes I feel like there’s an anchor on my waist,
swimming around in circles,
never getting anyplace.
But I can’t let it hold me,
can’t let it break my pace.
I can’t let the world
get the best of me.

Goldfish For A Day

It isn’t your size that matters,
Or how strong you think you are,
As long as you keep trying,
We know that you’ll go far.

So pack up those frustrations,
And stow your fear away,
Float along the current,
Be a goldfish for a day.

A Christmas for Fishes
Goldfish Kisses

We know some of you get sad.
Some are lonely.
Some are just more tired every day.

We wish we could goldfish kiss the air
and take every bad away.

Maybe we can help you smile
a lil more some days.

If so, every day is worth it.

Out of Place, Part 1

Sometimes the lights are a little too bright,
sometimes I stress when the rocks aren’t piled just right,
sometimes the other fish are moving too fast,
and I have to take some deep breaths
until they all pass.

Sometimes the noise is just a little too loud,
sometimes the sounds feel like they are all around,
sometimes I pull back
and just need some space.
Sometimes I feel like I’m out of place.

Out of Place, Part 2

Sometimes the colors
just sound a little too loud,
sometimes I’m anxious
just here in the crowd.

Sometimes is all times
’cause it’s all the time, you see,
sometimes my thoughts
move too quickly for me.

Sometimes I’m scared with no real reason why,
sometimes I just want to break down and cry,
sometimes you can’t tell
from the look on my face.
Sometimes I feel like I’m out of place.

Out of Place, Part 3

Sometimes the colors are just not that bright,
sometimes everything looks like a foggy twilight,
sometimes my senses are muted
and lessened and gone,
and I can’t quite understand
why everything just feels wrong.

Sometimes the space all around
feels a little too heavy,
sometimes the sounds feel like
they all just escape me,
sometimes I don’t even feel
your hands on my face.
Sometimes I feel like I’m out of place.

I forgot that I’m amazing,
unique, there’s no one else like me.. sometimes.
I forget that no one in the world
sees the world I see.. sometimes.
I forget that I’m important
in all the thoughts racing through my head.. that sometimes
spin around and upside down
and overwhelm instead.

At times my heart just shows a little too much,
at times my anger just blows up a little too much,
it’s just my thoughts and senses and feelings
and mind and vision are always in a race.
Sometimes I feel like I’m out of place.

Out of Place, Part 4

Sometimes the whatzzits and whitzats
just don’t line up,
sometimes I try to explain
and just want to give up,
sometimes I wish everyone could just open up and see
the beauty in me.
The beauty is me.

Sometimes I wonder
why this world is hard to understand.
Nothing is broken,
I am just who I am,
full of feelings, pride, intelligence, and grace.
Sometimes I feel like I’m out of place.
Sometimes I’m just Spot,
in a spot out of place.

Sir Elton Napoleon John Bonaparte Rates Goldfish, SUPER STAR!

I get up on stage
And the fishies all start to cheer,
They just can’t believe
A fishy’s singin’ here.

I shake my fin, I shake my tail,
And all the little guppies begin to wail.

I’m a superstar–
If only in my dreams.

Something on His Mind..

The lights were all out and it was time to sleep,
But Spot, he had thoughts that just wouldn’t keep.
So he swam in a circle, then he swam in two,
Before waking up Rates with a “What should I do?”

Rates shook off his sleep and just blinked for a few.
“What do you mean now, what do you do?
It’s time to be sleeping, and dreaming our dreams,
But that’s not gonna happen? ..at least that’s how it seems.”

Spot just swam back and forth, his eyes wide awake.
“I’ve got a decision that I’ve got to make..
You see, I’m writing a story, I’ll maybe write two..
About the Whatzit and Whozit and Goobley Goo.”

Rates blinked.
“The Wherezit and Howzit of say what and who?
I don’t understand, what do you need to do?
You’re supposed to be sleeping, so just go to sleep
And finish tomorrow, the story will keep..”

Spot shook his head, a serious look on his face.
“I have to finish the story, or I’ll lose my place!
It’s the Whozit and Whatzit of a place called Somewhere,
And the greatest story that will ever be there.”

Molly woke up with the noise and the chatter,
And she swam close to see what was the matter.
“Did you say gidgets and gadgets? Cause that’s kinda my thing..
Perhaps I can help, just let me think..”

“Not gidgets and gadgets, Molly my friend.”
“I am writing a story, the best ever wrotten..
Or is it written, or writed.. the best ever spoken.
It’s the most storyish story that ever could be,
About the Whozit and Whatzit that live by the Something Sea.”

Rates nodded, and hmmed, then he hmmed and nodded.
“The Howzit and Wowzit, I think I got it.
A someone and something that live by Nowhere Lake,
Can someone please tell me why we’re all awake?”

Now Bubba came over, and looked so confused..
“Yo, why are yous talking when it’s time to snooze?”
Then Molly replied before Spot could speak,
“Spot is looking for gidgets and gadgets from Chesapeake..”

Spot grumbled and grumped.
“It’s the Whozit and Whatzit by the Something Sea,
Not a Howzit or Wowzit, just listen to me!
They are living in Somewhere, not Chesapeake Bay,
And I have to finish my story before it goes away!”

Now Chilli’s awake, and Rex is up too.
Chilli said, “How can we help you to do what you do?”
Spot said, “I just need a word that rhymes with tails..”
And Rex just blinked once, before he replied, “Snails.”

And Spot thought about this, then rethank and think-ed.
“Rex, that is perfect, it’s just what I needed!”

And simple as that, Spot went to sleep,
Keeping the story that just wouldn’t keep.

Rates and Miss Molly, Rex, and Bubba too,
And even Lil Chilli didn’t know what to do,
Cause now they’re wide awake, while Spot’s snoring away,
Dreaming of Howzits and Whenzits and Chesapeake Bay.

Spot’s Saga: The EPIC Masterpiece by Spot Da Goldfish
In its full, unabridged and uncut format!
Hi, I’m Spot.
That’s all I’ve got.
The End.

Swim With Me

Life is fragile; embrace it.
Time is fleeting; don’t waste it.

When tomorrow never seems
To chase away all those yesterdays,
And the shards of broken dreams
Leave you with nothing left to say,

When you feel like you’re drowning
In another wave,

You can just rest,
And swim with me.

The Christmas Box

There’s a tale that’s not been told neither here or there,
About a Christmas wish and hope and an unlikely prayer.
You’ve seen the shows of a reindeer’s nose,
Snowmen and mice that live in clocks,
But have you ever heard a single word
About a special Christmas box?

——

This box was special, tiny in size,
With a wee tiny mouth and such tiny eyes.
Not good for a bike, not good for most things,
Barely enough to put in a ring.

But this box, it was special, and it was alive.
And it wanted to be in the Christmas season,
But it didn’t have cause, and didn’t have reason.

“I can’t hold a teddy bear wrapped up so tight,
I can’t hold a puppy, asleep Christmas night.
I’ve really no use, I’m just in the way,
I’ll be no one’s present on Christmas day.”

Then it was lifted, and saw two tiny eyes.
“You’re perfect! You’re great! You’re just the right size!”
“If Santa is watching, you’ll make Christmas great!”

They took out some glue, some rhinestones and glitter,
Decorated the box, and then wrote a letter.
“Now all I need, is to be patient and wait..
Because if Santa Claus sees us, we’ll make Christmas great.”

“Dear Santa,” the letter began,
“I’m little Sammy, that’s who I am..
I don’t want a bike, that’s not what I need,
I just want a star for the top of my tree.
A pretty light to help my mommy smile,
She hasn’t been happy in quite a while.
I’m wishing and hoping with everything that I am,
And..if you have room, maybe some strawberry jam?”

Christmas morning, a chilly air blew.
Sammy got up, all the hope in their dreams..
But there was no star.
Santa wasn’t watching, it seems.

“All that I wanted was just one more smile,”
Sammy said. “I haven’t seen one in quite a while.”

With that, Sammy’s mom started crying with joy.
“Your precious heart is all that I need.
I am your mommy, and that is my joy.”

Then they both heard footsteps and then heard a knock.
Out on the steps was a big box of gifts.
A coat, some toys, and a twinkling star,
A box full of jams and a gift card,
And on top of it all, one tiny box.

This box was special, tiny in size,
With a wee tiny mouth and such tiny eyes.
Not good for a bike, not good for most reasons,
But it held the love of the holiday seasons.

This box, it was special, decorated with care.
Despite being tiny, it held hope in there.
It found a cause, and it found its reason
To bring joy to one, this holiday season.

The Watery Tale of Abe the Pirate

‘Twas both bright and dark
and dark and bright,
as the morning rolled into its night
and the tepid seas tossed and turned,
crashing against the shore.

A Jolly Roger flew in the mast
of the first giant ship that came in last,
carrying a full crew
of One and Not One More.

So One was there
and Not One More
to seek the pirate treasure,
glowing rocks and sparkly things
far beyond their measure.

The warm wind blew a cooling air
as they began their quest
to find a fabled treasure on this sandy shore,
the search of One and Not One More,
to find the place of a pirate’s final rest.

The Whatzit and Whozit of Somewhere

A whatzit and a whozit
lived in a town next to the Something Sea,
a place called Somewhere
that was really nowhere
and home to a whatzit, a whozit, and me.

The whatzit and whozit
were known all around
for making the funniest tales,
but me, I’m a goldfish,
so I am just known
for how I take care of the snails.

This Poem Stinks

The hearing of herrings are tuned to the gas,
That each are passing from each other’s buns..
But Harold the herring brought panic en masse,
When he found some baked beans– and ate more than one.

Tis the Season
(The Biped)

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree,
You set off my allergies.

You make me cough, you make me sneeze,
When I get near, I start to wheeze.

You make my lungs feel full of lead,
I can barely get out of bed.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree,
You set off my allergies…

What’s Spot Got? (Chapter 1)

A day like any other,
cartoons on the glass,
but one of us was missing
as the morning colors passed.

We found Spot behind the plants,
arranging glowwy stones,
swimming circles, one two three four,
in a world all his own.

“I found a magic rock,” he said,
and left it right at that.
Spot being Spot, he wandered off
before the story sat.

This is life with Spot sometimes —
he wasn’t quite like us,
patient and frustrating,
beautiful and fussed.

He’d say the TV was too loud,
the colors hurt his head,
or else too quiet, something wrong,
the water smelled, he said.

It scared us when we were little.
It confused us, sure enough.
But we were family, so we learned
that love means showing up.

“It’s an Imaginastone,” he said,
with wonder in his eyes.
“It collects our dreams and keeps them safe
and makes them more alive.”

This was Spot, and our life with him,
a cascade, tales and dreams,
all bundled into one small fish,
a keeper, so it seems.

And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s Spot Got? (Chapter 2)
Dreams Alive

Bubba woke up talking futures,
Blignaught Nuts and time machines,
Molly smiled and said go back to sleep,
you’re tangled up in dreams.

But the others felt it too,
their dreams more real, more there,
and even Molly said a maybe
hanging in the water’s air.

Bambina mumbled in her sleep,
Abe whispered “Arr, me matey,”
Rex was chasing dinosaurs,
the Platys soaring free.

“So what did you dream?” Spot asked,
swimming up behind.
For once I had no story —
nothing came to mind.

“Sometimes dreams are hiding,”
Spot said with quiet ease,
“waiting to come out again
when you drift off to sleep.”

He was right. The dreams came flowing,
warm and full and free.
Was there something to that stone?
We don’t know.

But in those moments,
our dreams were alive.