Sunday, October 7, 2012

Baiting Hooks with Luke






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

44 comments:

Sarav said...

Such a delightful poem! Love that ending, wraps it up just right :-) Brought back some very nice fishing memories for me--

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks very much Sara--really glad you like it and that it brought back some good times :)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I LOVE this! reminds me of taking my son fishing when he was a boy.

RMP said...

sweet piece. the faith of a child...it would be nice if we could tap into that blind belief in possibilities.

Mary said...

I 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!

ayala said...

Love this! And I love to fish :) sweet!

Justin Lamb said...

I 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.

Brian Miller said...

the 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...

hedgewitch said...

Charming, in the best way.

vivinfrance said...

What 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!

Daydreamertoo said...

Awww..precious. I once used wine gums for bait (bright coloured chewy sweets) and caught a fish to my surprise...lol
Because kids believe in magic, it happens.
Thank you for the huge smile :)

Grace said...

I like the faith of the child ~ He looks delighted to have caught one ~ Love the personal share ~

Unknown said...

Very sweet. I love the confidence and expectation. I think there is much to learn here :)

Jody Lee Collins said...

Jennifer--I'm smiling wide at this delightful picture.

'Sometimes fish are hungry' and God lets you catch one just because He loves you.

Fun times.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful last line!

Unknown said...

Jennifer~
I hope you are collecting these lovely Luke pieces to share with him when he's older. Precious, they illustrate relationship.

colleen said...

It really brings me into the present, even if in someone else's reality.

Claudia said...

haha...sometimes fish are just hungry...love this...bet he was so proud...lovely pic and love how you captured the scene

marousia said...

I love the narrative in this - the scene is so alive

Anonymous said...

This 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

Orange UaPoet said...

a nice capture all around, especially the last line, well done.

Carrie Van Horn said...

Love the message in this Jennifer, and the photo is priceless! :-)

Jennifer Wagner said...

Glad it did Sherry :) thank you!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Definitely...thanks RMP!

Jennifer Wagner said...

haha...thanks very much Mary!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Me too :) thank you!

Jennifer Wagner said...

The experience had that effect on me too, glad it came across in the write. Thanks Lo-Fi!

Jennifer Wagner said...

I think so too--the faith and the rewarding--thanks so much Brian.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks very much :-)

Jennifer Wagner said...

haha...thanks for the personal story viv, love it! Appreciate your comment!

Jennifer Wagner said...

That's a funny story...glad to make you smile :)

Jennifer Wagner said...

He really did enjoy it--thanks so much Grace.

Jennifer Wagner said...

I agree--thanks for the lovely comment and for following too.

Jennifer Wagner said...

When you do your part, and have faith--He answers. Glad you enjoyed the picture--thanks Jody :)

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you very much Victoria.

Jennifer Wagner said...

I save them for sure--and he enjoyed reading this :) Thank you so much Kim, always enjoy your comments!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks colleen!

Jennifer Wagner said...

He was :) Thanks so much Claudia, so appreciate your compliment.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks marousia, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Jennifer Wagner said...

I think you're right Stu--thanks so much for commenting--always appreciate your words.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks O--really liked your contribution this week too.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Carrie--thanks for visiting and for following! I'm glad the message came through :)

Ella said...

I love this and his face! YOU captured the priceless view of being young~ Love it

Jennifer Wagner said...

Ella--your comment made me feel good--thank you much.