Although we’re enduring a Musk and Trump life,

The Grimms have given us, “The Fisherman’s Wife.”

Having gained a favor from a magical fish,

A cruel, greedy person demanded a wish.

At the first, the kind fish, grateful for life,

Produced a sweet home for the fisherman’s wife.

Her appetite whetted, the wife asked for more –

More power, attention, and riches galore!

A mansion, a castle, a Kingship to start,

Then Emperor, Pope, and next her greedy heart,

At last asked for dominion over sun and the moon,

And the fish, pushed too far (not a moment too soon!)

As the sea boiled and roared in reaction to this,

The flounder, at last, had enough of hubris!

“Go Home!” yelled the flounder, pushed beyond all control,

“You’re back where you started!” And thus greed took its toll.

Moral: Fairytales (or even “tails”) often tell us a universal truth.

Judith Hook

Durango

Editor’s Note: This is a reprint of a poem partially-submitted and printed on Apr. 25. The entirety of the poem appears above.