The Dead Fish Laden Sea

Actually, says Sweezus, Pablo's an old friend.

Our favourite poets can seem like old friends, says Faith. 

Yeah, but I mean we know him, says Sweezus. He used to ride in our team.

A cycling team? asks Faith.

Yep, says Sweezus. Team Condor. It was Pablo who named it.

I'm not sure I believe you, says Faith. 

He's a diplomat now, says Sweezus. But we used to have competitions.

Poetry competitions, says Arthur.

And who won? asks Faith.

Can't remember, says Sweezus. 

Pablo won the cuttlefish poem competition, says Arthur. 

Yeah he did, says Sweezus. But I only remember mine.

Tell me, says Faith. You know I collect fish poems.

Okay says Sweezus. It was called In Memory Of A Dead Cuttlefish:

Blue green blood ran through his three hearts,

All of them broken. I asked for his name.

He was the Twitcher, we took him to Kas

da da da .. yeah, forgotten the rest.

Something about his orange beloved who wasn't aware he was coming, says Arthur. She was glimmerng under the sea.

That's so gorgeous, says Faith. 

Thanks, says Sweezus. I did a course in creative writing.

I wish you remembered Pablo's, says Faith. If he won, it must have been even better than yours.

Yeah well, he was inspired by the Marilyn Monroe Charity Swim, says Sweezus.

He fell in love with a Marilyn, says Arthur. And he worked her into his poem. Not for you or I, Marilyn, the way of the cuttlefish, I have not the specialised tentacles to insert sperm sacs into an opening near to your mouth, nor the patience....  

You've got a good memory. Yeah stuff like that, says Sweezus. 

Ending in a description of her in a sequined swimsuit, says Arthur. Her golden hair flowing. And how he desired a maritime connection. With her.

Faith is entranced. That sounds like the sort of thing Pablo would write. Could she add it to her collection? 

Have you got a copy of the original? asks Faith.

Dunno, says Sweezus. I could look. But my phone's in the car.

I'll come up with you, says Faith.

I'm not going up yet, says Sweezus. I'm going back in. Might catch you later.

He heads back to the dead fish laden sea.