Farouche ... Submerged

Today’s word is “farouche” ... French. Sullenly unsociable or shy. (Dictionary.com)

Submerged In his castle, under water,
     he hides.
Safe in the dark. No one
     can find him.
But he can watch and wait,
     for food.
This farouche fish declines,
     finned company,
          or company within a shell.
When the lights go out,
     he retreats far into
          the plastic plants.
Hidden so far that no matter
     your viewpoint, front, back, top
          or corner, you cannot see him
               and might presume him dead.
But he is not. He must be content;
     happy as a fish can be. Pleased within
          his self imposed solitude.
Perhaps he is a piscatorial philosopher,
     practicing his craft. In a school of one.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018