Copyright 2010 Roberta Osborn. All rights reserved.
My Poetry
Fishin’
for John
I've learned a few things,
Since I've been here a while,
Like nothin's so strong as
A big sunny smile,
Like nothin's so tough
As honest reflection,
Patience in lovin'
And constant affection.
And here's a new thought
That just now arose,
That teachin's like fishin'
And here's how that goes:
I walk to the pond
As intent as a setter.
When fishin', the stiller the mind is,
the better.
Casting no shadow,
I keep it that way,
So the fish stay around
And are happy to play.
I cast my line brightly
And dangle the worm
Until the fish see it.
I don’t make 'em squirm.
I don’t get emphatic
in fear they won’t bite.
I give them some slack
till they take it just right.
Intently I watch
Where the line passes in,
Waitin' for 'aha',
'stead of a win.
And when the line bobbles
I set hook just so,
To confirm that I got 'em.
And that they do know.
I follow up, reelin' my line
Till it's sure
that what follows in logic
Is pretty secure.
And if it's hooked badly,
I try to amend,
Resetting things gently
To try once again.
I catch and release just like this
'Til my thought
Is peacefully, happily,
Quietly caught.
