| Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern American Poetry. 1919. | | | | Max Eastman. 1883– | | | | 96. At the Aquarium | | | | SERENE the silver fishes glide, | | | Stern-lipped, and pale, and wonder-eyed! | | | As through the aged deeps of ocean, | | | They glide with wan and wavy motion. | | | They have no pathway where they go, | 5 | | They flow like water to and fro, | | | They watch with never-winking eyes, | | | They watch with staring, cold surprise, | | | The level people in the air, | | | The people peering, peering there: | 10 | | Who wander also to and fro, | | | And know not why or where they go, | | | Yet have a wonder in their eyes, | | | Sometimes a pale and cold surprise. | |
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