guest post: Brett Belingheri

guest post: Brett Belingheri

Brett is in my YSA 35th ward. He is my new friend. He came to our fort and taught me to speak Russian. He is also a creative genius and I wanted the world to read his poem. So here you go world. Also, if you feel in your heart that you want to publish this poem, just let me know. He's gonna eat his doughnut real fast so hold your horses. Russian words. 

This was written during my first month in Ukraine. I was watching General Conference and didn't understand a single word, so I wrote a poem instead. 

The Magic Fish

By Brett Joseph Belingheri

I caught another fish again,

On the banks of ol' Lake Michigan.

Turns out he's a magiciagan,

And he offered me one wish of him.

"Oh, what a marvelous day!" I thought,

"To receive a wish from a fish I caught,

To make this choice my time I'll take, 

How sorry I'll be if this wish I make."

So I began to ponder, to rack my brain.

My options were many, and many thoughts came.

Of riches, of money, of untold treasures,

Of having such wealth that couldn't be measured.

I'd have houses and boats and all sorts of cars,

2,000 shoes and a butler named Lars.

A chef to cook my favorite meals,

I'd go skiing in the Alps and swimming with seals.

All of my wildest dreams would come,

If I asked of this fish a large lump sum. 

Day turned to dusk and on I thought,

What shall I ask of this fish I caught.

And soon my thoughts began to shift,

What if for others' good I used my wish?

Wars really stink and starvation's a drag,

If everyone loved everybody then all would be glad.

Wars would end and famines would cease,

If I used my wish to bring world peace.

So, I cleared my throat and began to utter

My wish that had taken all day to discover.

But when I looked at my fish I started to see

That all wasn't right as I thought it should be.

His eyes were all cloudy, his tail in a crick

And he moved not an inch when poked with a stick.

My fish was dead, and my wish dead, too,

And so I leave my advice to you:

Next time you go fishing, before your first cast,

Have a wish in your heart in case you are asked.

This is the tail of my Michigan fish,

And the time that I lost my one free wish.

But don't be mistaken I came out the winner,

For that fish filled my tummy when I ate it for dinner.

© brett j belingheri 

keep it real.