water flowing
freely going, fabulously
running forth
while fish are solemn, still

i bathe my hand
i beckon them
they hear me, clearly
and come forth

stopping short,
they pause, curious
waiting for instruction

my wiggling wet fingers
calling out to them
i introduce myself
i tell them, confident, fear me not

and they acknowledge
by touching
the tips
of my fingers
with their lips
and wagging their tail fins with approval.