So many “here”s and so many “there”s
scurrying like little ants to their “anywhere”s
So many whens and so many hows
rushing to work or driving their plows
This many fingers how old am eye
that many soaring jets polluting the sky
Which way is right when all ways are wrong
beyond the grip of time need not move along
So many wants and not many whys
running for cover telling their lies
So many sorrows and not enough joys
too many war rifles making dead boys
This many dollars and not enough love
that many looking down but not up above
Which crazy leader as they kiss his hind end
damning the environment without earth as a friend
[Note: The photographs are of Painted Fire Red Shrimp that i keep as pets and breed. No, we do not have a name for each individual shrimp; however, you are welcome to try! 🙂 They do not need a heater — liking cold water — and eat very little, having a very low bioload. They are becoming increasingly more popular as aquarium pets. I really like them, as they are very interesting, comical, and do not fight amongst each other. In the lower photograph, many are grouped together in one corner of the aquarium; that is because it is feeding time, and that area is where i feed them twice a day. Note that some have cleverly discovered that they do not have to share the little sinking, white food pellets as much if they can snatch them off of the bottom and take them up the walls of the Matten Sponge Filter. I also have (in other aquariums) a couple of other varieties. One variety is called Snowball Shrimp; the females carry, for over a month, many white eggs (inside of them, that you can see), and they look like pure white snowballs.]
Painted Fire Red Shrimp (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Painted Fire Red Shrimp (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Those shrimp are fascinating. I’ve never been around many acquariums, and had no idea there were such cute, colorful creatures. They certainly are well-named; that’s a brilliant red.
Yes, they are fascinating and comical creatures. 🙂 Currently, you can get this species in many developed color forms, including blues, greens, yellows, purples, and some with color but with a clear middle section.
Wonderful verse.
Had never heard of these shrimp before. Interesting pets😊
Thanks about the poetry, Belinda! The shrimp really are neat; i’ll have to do a posting with the Snowball Shrimp too sometime. 🙂
How cool! I’ve never heard of them before.
They really do well in our well water! Looks like the tank is on fire! 🙂
That’s awesome. I can imagine how it looks!!
Wow Tom, I have to look into these. I have an aquarium, but every living creature that resided in it has gone on to that big ole aquarium in the sky! 🙂 I love visiting aquariums, but the one I really fell in love with was the Maui aquarium. Oh my gosh talk about colorful! I was not familiar with this species of shrimp but I will have to check around my neck of the woods and see if they are available. Love that fiery red! 😀
What size is your aquarium? I’d send you some for free, if you want, but you’d have to pay for shipping. Only ask for some if you are willing to (religiously) clean the tank weekly by siphoning out 1/3 of the water using a gravel vacuum hose. This species only does well in hard water. Soft water will not work. Additionally, black gravel needs to cover 2/3 of the bottom of the tank; the other 1/3 of the bottom is bare glass. The gravel must be black or they will slowly turn into whatever other color your gravel is… or turn into some nasty shade. Take your time to think about it and if you don’t want shrimp just yet… that’s fine. 🙂
Awwww…thanks so much for the offer Tom. Let me think about it, because I want to be fully committed before taking on such a precious undertaking! 🙂 You are so kind and thanks again for the offer and for the advice as well! 😀 Cheers!
Really interesting and peaceful animals. That would be the first time a president could learn something from a shrimp:) Hope the river didn’t rise more, Thomas. Have a nice day, regards Mitza
The river is way down now — thanks, Mitza — like the president’s IQ. The shrimp are having a great day and i hope you are too! 🙂
Great poem. Love the pictures of the shrimp too. Wonderful coloring.
Thanks, Francis! Read what i wrote to Kym above. If you ever set up an aquarium, let me know, and i’ll send you some free shrimp! 🙂
Perhaps the survival of planet Earth rests with such as your shrimp … they may be here when we foolish humans are extinct. Your poem says well what’s amiss.
A lot is amiss, unfortunately! I hope a lot of species will be able to recover after the Wave of Indifference Extinction.
Your verse is spot on, Tom.
I’ve never seen shrimp like that. Interesting!
Thanks, re the poetry, Sandy! So glad you see it!
The shrimp sure are comical, educational, and fun! 🙂
I really enjoyed your poem. And your little shrimp are charming. 🙂
Much appreciated, Scifi! 🙂 I hope more rain comes your way soon! We are supposed to get more on Monday but the river is low enough now that we are all out of danger.
The shrimp are a riot! 🙂
Good to hear your river has gone down enough, before more rain falls. As to our rain – none forecast at the moment, but I’m hoping for good rain in June/July. 🙂
Fantastic poem and photos!🙂
Thank you, CI! 🙂 Those shrimp were a bit tough to photograph; at first glass reflection and such was problematic.
Great verse!!! Thank you, Tom.
Good to meet with you pets. 🙂
Thanks, Amy! … and they don’t go well with hot sauce! 🙂
Great poem! I have never known anyone having pet shrimp before. They would certainly brighten up a room.
If you have hard water or moderately hard water… they are pretty easy to keep. 🙂 If you have soft water, there are other similar varieties that you can keep.
Cool looking shrimp! When we had an aquarium for many years, we include ghost shrimp in our tank. They were great on helping to keep our tank clean. 🙂
I used to have ghost shrimp too. The problem with ghost shrimp is that they do not reproduce well in captivity. I’m 66 years old and i’ve had fish ever since the 4th grade. 🙂
We had them for many years while the kids were growing up, it all started with that ‘free goldfish in the bag’, lol. When the kids left, I still kept it going for a few years, it was quite entertaining and relaxing to watch. 🙂
Powerful poem. Wish more people could see and understand
Thank you, Elynn! 🙂 … and that’s for sure!
Meaningful and powerful verses! I’ve had aquariums with fish but never shrimp! Cute little fellas….