Fishing for Minnows

[Hawkman]

Am I in my second childhood?
Nowadays my memory
is not quite what it was.
Perhaps it is my first.

Happily I wade the shallows
in between the banks,
crunching water,
sloshing pebbles
that protest my clumsy passage
with every slipping step,
while at my feet,
the fleeting glimpse
of darting fishy shadows.

These are my prey today,
while in my ears
the rush of water
fleeing from its bed.

Now and then
the rattling flight of dragonflies,
Emperors and Golden Rings,
that hunt unwary damsels,
who,
forever in their courtship flights,
ignore them at their peril.

I fill my bucket from the stream
and with my net
I trawl the deeper swims,
while on my neck I feel
the tell-tale prickle of the sun.

My catch,
a nice fat stickleback
and bull-heads, one or two,
their dancing silver bellies
flashing in the light
before decanting
to my artificial pool.

Beneath the bovine stares
of nosey, bank-side cattle,
I gaze in fascination
at a nymph,
then put him back.
Returned to his aquatic habitat,
he disappears from view.

At last, with trousers soaked
and teaming haul,
I trudge back to my car
with sodden socks
(that squelch the squelch
of sodden socks in neoprene boots).
I haul them off and dry my feet.

Why do I feel so utterly content,
just sitting in the sun,
smoking a cigarette,
listening to the birds?

[hillwalker]

There's so much detail here that I had to check if my socks were still dry.

A wonderful piece, H. And I love the pair of perverse phrases

crunching water,
sloshing pebbles

Bon appetit (for your kingfisher friends, I assume)

H

[DieterM]

This is indeed an excellent piece of poetry. I was disconcerted at first by the introductory lines and had to read the whole poem again. And there it 'snapped' – the second reading made the experience all the more satisfying, with an overall round sensation. I'm not into fishing myself (except the occasional fishing for compliments, that is) but understand better now (with my heart) what fishing can give you.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Why indeed do you "feel so utterly content"? Could it be perhaps because you have given yourself so entirely to every episode and detail of this odyssey, and perhaps you know you're about to make a magnificent poem of it?

The title alone is a wonderfully Hawkmanian self-deprecating bit of humour.

[hack]

I love this Hawk. Only yesterday I spoke with
my brother about our childhood ramblings that
were centered around the wet places that
are such sanctuary, for man and beast, when
you live in the desert...peace...

[Hawkman]

Hi hill,

You are, of course, correct in your appreciation of the purpose of my little safari. I hadn’t had so much fun for years. Alone with the countryside in the sun with time to appreciate my surroundings and see what was to be seen.

DieterM,

Thanks, although proper fishing gives a different sense of satisfaction and achievement, my pleasure in the exercise was enhanced by its worthy purpose. As hill noted, I was catching them for two rescued kingfisher chicks who were busy perfecting their angling skills in a nursery aviary before being released back into the wild.

My Prince,

Thank you too for your kind words and I’m glad you like the poem. Did I know I’d make a poem out of it? well, maybe, but I didn’t find out for sure until this morning.

hack,

Thanks to you too for your kind words.

I should imagine it’s more hazardous for youngsters in your neck of the woods – So many things that can ruin your day, like rattlers, etc.

Well, there may be Adders in this country, but I’ve never seen one, but there are leaches.

Which reminds me,

Q. Why did the viper wipe her nose?
A. Because the Adder ‘ad ‘er handkerchief…

Live and be well, H

[Bar22do]

Life is kind of new now and I start it with your sprinkling wit and amazing sense of observation (plus your noble bird chics cause!)... your memory definitely indicates you as YOUNG! thanks for this freshness which I breathe in as I teach some of my facial muscles how to work anew (those responsible for smiling, for instance).
I'm so moved that you cared and wrote me privately another of your rhymes to remind me that although a minnow, I can still feel a golden fish! :smile5:, and I hope you won't mind me sharing it hereafter, for others to appreciate it (and your kindness) as well (I only enjoy what I can share...)

Where are you Bar? I miss you so,
when you don’t post I feel so low
the forum lacks your gentle words
diminished by a brace of thirds.

What cruel restraint has stilled your pen
are you on your travels once again
or is some deeper, inner woe
the reason poetry ceased its flow?

I miss your calm and thoughtful verse
(addiction to your praise my curse)
redundant, hoarded sun-block creams
block all the exits from my dreams.

And so in health and safety’s cause
you must return and end this pause
as I for one would love to read
serene reflection’s sprouting seed.


And yes, I'll look if there is anything serene sprouting somewhere there deep in me... But for the time being, I'm only grateful and - as for your last post, I took delight in in all but LOVED

"(that squelch the squelch
of sodden socks in neoprene boots)"

I went to the woods this last weekend where birds offered me and my friends an unforgettable spring concerto with some remarkable breathtaking solos!

Thanks for your rouned wings, hawk's mutant! :blush: Be well - your "minnows" is marvelous! thanks for all - Bar

[Hawkman]

Welcome back Bar, the forum is richer for your presence. I am more than happy to have provided the oxygen of humour to refresh your smile.

Young? Well perhaps. I felt immensely childish paddling in the stream with my net and bucket and loved every minute of it.

Remember, it is better to be an Angel Fish in the wide ocean than a bloated carp in a stagnant pond and if there were only minnows, there’d be no sharks….

I look forward to your next poem, don’t rush it though, just don’t take too long… :)

Glad you found time to commune with nature; it’s always good for the soul.

I’m particularly pleased that you liked the squelching sodden socks. I nearly excised them but manfully fought down the impulse. :D

Live and be well, Best, H