SORRY I DON'T EAT FISH-THE POEM

SORRY, I DON'T EAT FISH

Sorry, I don't eat fish

I wish I could say

when asked

to a dinner party a few days away.

My conscience tells me I should be good

and eat only plants ,

but I can't.

It's the fish that are nearly extinct

that I particularly like

although feel terrible shame

when eating cod, haddock or hake

or any white fish that tastes really divine

when deep-fried with chips and a glass of white wine.

Then there are the oily fish

mackerel, salmon and herring

that once filled the oceans near to our shores

but not anymore,

because people with taste buds like me

just couldn't believe

we are over-fishing our seas.

I am told there are fish to be eaten

without beating you up

you don't have to deny a fine source of grub.

People talk of a sustainable way

but is it at a price I'm willing to pay?

If I don't

it will soon be the end of my favourites

all fished away.

So perhaps I should look

for snapper, crimson and red,

trout, brown, sea and rainbow

organically bred

black and sea bream from the North Wales quarter

cook flounder and more from Cornwall's water.

I do have a choice

I can choose to say

Yes, I eat fish the sustainable way.

                                                                                                                   Janet Daniel