Phish

HOW VERY PRETTY IS THE FISH

by Ben Hillman

with a sequel

THE REVENGE OF WARDEN HAKE

by Michael Connelly


How very pretty is the fish
It swims with fins and tail.
It eats up other fishes
And never goes to jail.

With bars so cold of iron made
And locks of hardened steel
The cruel warden gives the fish
But bread and air for meal.

The bread was baked with deep sea mud
The air was stale and must.
The fishy cried "Alackaday!
This surely is unjust."

The warden turns his dungeon key
To see his sacly guest.
Bullets spray the corridor
And rip apart his chest.

The fishes free their thankful friend
They say "Let's call it quits."
They line the jail with gelignite
And blow the place to bits.

How very pretty is the fish.
It swims with fins and tail.
It eats up other fishes
And never goes to jail.



THE REVENGE OF WARDEN HAKE

The dampish geist of Warden Hake
Began at last his search
To seek the so-called Pretty Fish
Who'd left him in the lurch.

This vi'lent fish had shot him up
And blown apart his jail.
The Warden now would hunt him down
And hang him by his tail.

The fish had shot him in the chest
And put therein a hole
That left him just a burning hate
Within his steaming soul.

The Warden talked to Diver Dan
Who gave him his first tip:
"You'll find the fish yer lookin' for
Beneath yon sunken ship."

The Warden eyed the sunken ship
And sensed the Pretty Fish.
He grinned a hollow grin and knew
He'd get at last his wish.

He opened up the cargo hatch
He shot but not to kill.
He grabbed the fish and told the fish,
"You'll breathe no more through gill."

They hanged the Pretty Fish till dead.
Yes these are just the facts.
The warden called the swordfish in --
And made him kippered snacks.