I Know Why Aquarium Fish Smile.

The fish swam aimlessly in the tank,

unaware that I was an audience,

watching them as they darted in and out

of fake coral

and fake rocks

and fake caves.

I provided food,

and they ate it greedily,

not knowing if it would ever come again.

I wanted to send them a message

that they were in the matrix,

and they had to make a choice.

Should they swim happily

in a tank without predators,

totally dependent upon a human being

who might not come tomorrow?

Or, should they jump out

into the unknown environment,

not knowing whether they could breathe

or swim again?

I am happy that I am on this side of the glass.

I might drown in there.