It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time…

“Your Catfish Friend”

If I were to live my life in catfish forms

In scaffolds of skin and whiskers at the bottom of a pond

And you were to come by one evening

When the moon was shining down into my dark home

And stand there at the edge of my affection

And think, “It’s beautiful here by this pond.  I wish somebody loved me.”

I’d love you and be your catfish friend and drive such lonely thoughts from your mind,

And suddenly you would be be at peace, and ask yourself:

“I wonder is there are any catfish in this pond?  It seems like a perfect place for them.”

-R. Brautigan

My mama sent me this poem in a card, along with nicotine patches and a whole bunch of New Yorkers.  My mama is the very best mama for me in the entire world.