the fish and the scorpion
published by A Thin Slice of Anxiety


born under a Pisces moon
during the winter and a rising tide
l earnt to love by mimicking the waves
by feeling fiercely then turning away
falsely hoping that all water is the same
learning that sometimes we drown in familiar conditions
you can’t help but bring the fire to every room
while blaming the moths when they get burnt by you
convinced that you’re doing your best
proud of the wounds you wear on your skin
providing the blade for wounds akin that you shy away from
careful not to let them bleed onto you
because then you’d have to face the truth
found yourself amongst a Scorpio spring
and a roaring flood
pretending you couldn’t see your reflection in the water
that you were blinded by the light
the sting reminds you that you were caught
by a kindred spirit drowning in you
and you didn’t have the courage to dive in
in case you were pulled under too
and it’s eating you alive
but you can’t change the ever flowing tide
or the water we were born into


Copyright ©  Samantha Lee Curran 2024. All rights reserved

















I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I work and live, the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples of Gadigal land, and pay my respects to Elders past and present. I celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.