At 9 years old
it’s funny how
half the bait slips off the hook
before it hits the water.
Plop.
A lonely barely-bit of bait,
not worth a triploid trout’s time, really—
makes it
into Rufus Woods Reservoir.
He shrugs, though, good enough—
just to get it out there,
sits down on the dusty rock
and waits
for a pulse on the line.
He owns this moment
as I watch him
smile a bit,
flick his foot in the water,
and gaze at the opposing hills;
while I wonder
what he’s thinking.
No more than half a minute goes by, and
tug—tug—tug.
‘Got one’ he says, not surprised, at all—
and begins reeling;
the rest of us look at each other,
shake our heads,
and laugh a bit in disbelief.
Something about
the faith of a child
to know you don’t have to
be perfect,
sometimes fish
are just hungry.
Copyright 2012 Jennifer Wagner
to be linking up with the amazing poets at dVerse Poets Pub this week
Such a delightful poem! Love that ending, wraps it up just right :-) Brought back some very nice fishing memories for me--
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Sara--really glad you like it and that it brought back some good times :)
DeleteI LOVE this! reminds me of taking my son fishing when he was a boy.
ReplyDeleteGlad it did Sherry :) thank you!
Deletesweet piece. the faith of a child...it would be nice if we could tap into that blind belief in possibilities.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely...thanks RMP!
DeleteI like this so much. It definitely captures your son as fisherman. And the joy in fishing itself, not only in the catch. And yes, sometimes fish ARE just hungry!
ReplyDeletehaha...thanks very much Mary!
DeleteLove this! And I love to fish :) sweet!
ReplyDeleteMe too :) thank you!
DeleteI like the faith of a child part. Reminds me of how often, as an adult, I tend to stress if something is not perfect. This is a good reminder to just go with it.
ReplyDeleteThe experience had that effect on me too, glad it came across in the write. Thanks Lo-Fi!
Deletethe faith of a child. i think there is much for us to learn there...and it is rewarded as well...i love to fish with my boys as well...nice catch...
ReplyDeleteI think so too--the faith and the rewarding--thanks so much Brian.
DeleteCharming, in the best way.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely story, told with surprise and sympathy. It reminded me of my childhood days beside the Thames, having to catch the cat's breakfast before I could get off to school. The best bait was sometimes a shiny toffee paper!
ReplyDeletehaha...thanks for the personal story viv, love it! Appreciate your comment!
DeleteAwww..precious. I once used wine gums for bait (bright coloured chewy sweets) and caught a fish to my surprise...lol
ReplyDeleteBecause kids believe in magic, it happens.
Thank you for the huge smile :)
That's a funny story...glad to make you smile :)
DeleteI like the faith of the child ~ He looks delighted to have caught one ~ Love the personal share ~
ReplyDeleteHe really did enjoy it--thanks so much Grace.
DeleteVery sweet. I love the confidence and expectation. I think there is much to learn here :)
ReplyDeleteI agree--thanks for the lovely comment and for following too.
DeleteJennifer--I'm smiling wide at this delightful picture.
ReplyDelete'Sometimes fish are hungry' and God lets you catch one just because He loves you.
Fun times.
When you do your part, and have faith--He answers. Glad you enjoyed the picture--thanks Jody :)
DeleteWonderful last line!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Victoria.
DeleteJennifer~
ReplyDeleteI hope you are collecting these lovely Luke pieces to share with him when he's older. Precious, they illustrate relationship.
I save them for sure--and he enjoyed reading this :) Thank you so much Kim, always enjoy your comments!
DeleteIt really brings me into the present, even if in someone else's reality.
ReplyDeleteThanks colleen!
Deletehaha...sometimes fish are just hungry...love this...bet he was so proud...lovely pic and love how you captured the scene
ReplyDeleteHe was :) Thanks so much Claudia, so appreciate your compliment.
DeleteI love the narrative in this - the scene is so alive
ReplyDeleteThanks marousia, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThis is so nice. If only we could bottle the hope of children- maybe the world would be a better place...i love a bit of fishing too- I was right there with him
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Stu--thanks so much for commenting--always appreciate your words.
Deletea nice capture all around, especially the last line, well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks O--really liked your contribution this week too.
DeleteLove the message in this Jennifer, and the photo is priceless! :-)
ReplyDeleteCarrie--thanks for visiting and for following! I'm glad the message came through :)
DeleteI love this and his face! YOU captured the priceless view of being young~ Love it
ReplyDeleteElla--your comment made me feel good--thank you much.
Delete