I nearly stepped on a parrotfish

that I was caught

by the low tide.

It was big

as my slipper. I picked

its slimy body

and returned it

to the sea.

In its excitement

it forgot to

thank me.

It didn‘t even bother

to look back
–

It swam quickly

away fro

m me.

It dived

towards the direction

of the horizon

where the moon

was hiding.

Perhaps in my next visit

that parrotfish

will surprise me
with

a greeting.

It shall brag to me

about its scales

painted by

the setting moon3