Vardaman

Visitors come and go. The homeowner tolerates the traffic— the fish sculpture a mockery of the historic neighborhood. Most do not pay attention.

“Come close,” it says. “I have a story for you.”
But sculptures cannot speak.
“Do tell,” you reply.
“First you must answer a question,” it says.
Like a bridge troll.
“Do ask,” you reply.
“My mother is a fish,” it says. “Who am I?”
Your mother is a fish. You are a fish.
“I know,” you reply.
“Do tell,” it says.
I am speaking to a sculpture.
“You are the son of Addie.

“Come close," it says.