An unusal wish

Something I found in my diary from nearly a decade ago. Had found it while flipping through a book. My diary mentions the source as Gooberz.

I thought this is a most unusual wish
to be part of a classroom in a school of fish
and decided you must be joking with me

but you said, quite seriously

I am not joking at all
fish are wiser than most people surmise

is that what your secret assignment is?
are you going to try to teach dolphins to talk?

You looked straight into my eyes
when you replied

If I ever became friends with a dolphin
I would never presume to try to teach such a creature
more evolved than most humans could ever be
on the contrary, I would try to learn
all the levels of insight and depth of wisdom
a dolphin might be kind enough
to share with me

train dolphins for secret missions?

I'd prefer to train them how to remain free
that is ... if I were ever to meet one
and the two of us
should happen to share a cup of tea

then you smiled
and changed the subject ...