The Return of the Fish

S. Renee Domeier wrote and read this poem for the annual "return of the fish" celebration, returning the koi to the fountain at the College of Saint Benedict. The fish were returned despite the chilly weather on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

THE RETURN OF THE FISH (and SPRING, of course)

These fish are ancient! At least their ancestors are!
The likes of them

and, of course, many  other species

were created on the fifth day of creation!

And God liked them! He enjoyed what he had done and said so!
Now fish are edible,

beautiful,

fresh water fish,

aquarium fish,

gold ones, black ones, speckled ones

and of course, there are our special fish that return

each Spring

from their winter habitat

amidst joy and children,

students and employees

even the college president

and the monastics

in a ceremony

quite elaborately

planned

just to get them back to their spring-to-autumn home!

One could say they must really be something in order to get such a welcome!
They'll make no small difference, of course;

they'll receive company, every day

and sometimes, a bit of food and even copper coins;

they'll be surrounded by shade and geraniums.

I wonder if they like it here
and if they are as eager to get to their home
as we are to have them here…

Finally do you think God likes their coming home?
I do!
It's fun to come home amid balloons and banners!
And everybody making a fuss over you!