A Boy Feeds the Koi
The people passing by
are no strangers to the koi
living in the pond;
anyone and everyone
is a friend in waiting.
As a young boy
approached the water’s edge
the surface erupted;
fish of all colors and sizes
congregated at his feet.
As the koi jostled for position
the boy took a handful
of fish kibble and skimmed it
across the water’s surface
sending them into a frenzy.
The boy and the fish dancing
to music only they could hear
a call and response again and again
until the food was gone and they
each took a bow and fell silent.
The people passing by
are no strangers to the koi
living in the pond;
anyone and everyone
is a friend in waiting.
As a young boy
approached the water’s edge
the surface erupted;
fish of all colors and sizes
congregated at his feet.
As the koi jostled for position
the boy took a handful
of fish kibble and skimmed it
across the water’s surface
sending them into a frenzy.
The boy and the fish dancing
to music only they could hear
a call and response again and again
until the food was gone and they
each took a bow and fell silent.
— Dan Hardison
Image: Carp with Wisteria by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
woodblock 1889
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Ekphrastic Review
June 2026
Image: Carp with Wisteria by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi woodblock 1889
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Ekphrastic Review
June 2026
