Fred's Dead

My brother found him one
day after before school just
floating at the top of the bowl
still golden only his eyes dull
The others seemed oblivious
of Fred’s passing but swam
around languidly as always
No flushing as Mumma wants
but gently set in a chocolate
box lined with pink Kleenex
and we sing lustily God save
the queen because it has God
in it and All things bright and
beautiful because he had been
both of those things We chose
a spot beneath a flowering tree
so he’ll have something nice
to look at when he wakes up.