the child is gone

yesterday marked the death of my dearest and first out-of-my-parents-house pet.

our relationship spanned one week and five days. and as i stood above the toilet, and looked around at the small gathering of friends and family, each mourning a life that wasn't lived to its fullest, i couldn't help but think, would this fish have died in such vain if it was able to swim around in rice patties, fight off and protect its bubble nest, and gloat about the countless female bettas he had coerst into having his children? would i feel less vulnerable if i hadn't kept him in a small bowl for the portion of his life that i was in control of?

poor FishIzzle. may he rest in peace.