My Spotted Handfish

As I swim on the South Eastern coast of Tasmania,

a tiny fish tickles my toes.

It feels like a feather, light and smooth. 

Then I realize it’s a spotted handfish, I’m the only one who knows.

As I swim on the South Eastern coast of Tasmania,

there’s a spotted handfish, white with red spots. 

It’s as long as a pencil, tall as a mug.

I gasp. There are more, surrounding the sunken rocks.

As I swim on the South Eastern coast of Tasmania,

spotted handfish lay their eggs,

around the base of the smooth sea tulips. 

In the world, there’s not many Spotted Handfish left.

As I swim on the South Eastern coast of Tasmania,

fry hatch from their eggs. 

Smaller than a button,

with cute sea legs.

As I swim on the South Eastern coast of Tasmania,

spotted Handfish swim in a school.

Their hands crawling slowly across the ground, 

oh how I wish they lived in my pool.