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Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

0 posted 2003-12-20 02:34 AM

When I was a boy growing up my family, like many others in the area was involved with the island's thriving fishing industry. To go out into deep water beyond the shelf in those tiny colorful bobbing corks of fishing boats to that huge, angry, tossing ocean was more than every boy's dream, it was as... il rite del passaggio, the rite of passage. It was a time for a boy to become, un uomo!

THE SMALLEST FISHERMAN

I watched their faces carefully, looking for alarm,
the sea was twenty-footers, would we come to any harm?
I grasped the railing tightly, as we slid from trough to trough,
all around me moved the color, of the yellow MacIntosh.

My task to bait the hooks, of the heavily weighted lines,
huge bottom-dwelling grouper were to be this day's great prize.
'Twas the first time I was here, off Kaikoura's rugged shore,
and at twelve I knew this was my time to become a man and more.

Lightning ripped the sky in half and the storm poured through the rent,
it's fury beat my body till I was almost spent.
Lines on high, victory cries, silver flashing on the deck,
quick as a wink I baited those hooks and the men would throw them back.

I was getting cussed good-naturedly, but I knew that I belonged
with these burly native fishermen, and I joined them in their song,
songs of wives and sweethearts, and songs of fickle fate,
and I knew that I was safe with them, and God as my shipmates.

Ne'er had I been happier, a chance to prove my worth,
muscles burning, both hands bleeding, the luckiest boy on earth,
I watched the Southern Cross appear as the Capt'n swung us about,
"We're headed for home!" the men all cried, a joyous and mighty shout.

No one spoke as we slipped into port, faces drawn and grey,
we'd done our jobs, we'd fought the fight, 'twas but another day.
I wondered at the meaning, of this act in life and more,
I marvelled at life itself, as we tied up to the shore.

Antonio_L

[This message has been edited by Antonio_L (12-20-2003 02:37 AM).]

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

1 posted 2003-12-20 02:58 AM

Tony, what a fine story! Thanks for sharing.

Aimster
Member Elite

since 2000-02-19

Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC

2 posted 2003-12-20 08:33 AM

Tony,

not only are you a brilliant writer,
but an amazing storyteller, You really
know how to captivate an audience...and
I love how you share personal things from
your own life!

Happy Holidays
Amy

"When life gives you sorrow, may you experience the spirit of laughter"

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

3 posted 2003-12-20 08:45 AM

You paint wonderful stories, Antonio.
I enjoyed this very much! Thank you!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

4 posted 2003-12-20 09:26 AM

Wow! Your imagery is incredible.
You take the reader along on a journey and we just don't want it to end.
Extremely well done!
Hugs~

~Let peace begin with me...

Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

5 posted 2003-12-20 03:39 PM

Thanks a lot Passing Shadows, Amy, Sunshine and Enchantress, I'm really glad you liked it.

Tony.

[This message has been edited by Antonio_L (12-20-2003 03:40 PM).]

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

6 posted 2003-12-20 05:39 PM

What life you have written of the sea and the fisherman...
Awesome. TD

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

7 posted 2003-12-20 05:49 PM

(smiles) Oh my gosh, I just love this, sweet friend, you are a wonderful storyteller and I am so happy to go down nostalgia lane with you and get to hear of these wonderful memories, God Bless You, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Antonio, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"You'll find something that's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around and come back home" MB20

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

8 posted 2003-12-21 03:19 PM

Antonio...I so enjoyed this true life story. Beautifully done!

Alicat
Member Elite

since 1999-05-23

Posts 4094
Coastal Texas

9 posted 2003-12-21 03:37 PM

Vivid imagery, which drew me into the scene with gliding ease. This was a delight to read, and moreso to live vicariously. Though it has been a while since this Mackintosh wore a Macintosh.

Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

10 posted 2003-12-22 01:10 AM

Thank you all, ThisDiamond, Mistletoe Angel, Martie and Alicat. Glad you like my little glimpses.

Hmmm, Alicat you have me wondering now if I spelled Macintosh/MacIntosh/Mackintosh/McIntosh/McCintosh/Mcintosh/ correctly. Shall I just go back and change that to, "slickers"?

Tony.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

11 posted 2003-12-22 03:35 AM

I am absolutely loving your poetry and happy you found us here. Sometimes I feel we just got started and it ends. I am wondering if you write prose and if so, can't wait! This was truly delightful.

Happy Holidays
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin w

Alicat
Member Elite

since 1999-05-23

Posts 4094
Coastal Texas

12 posted 2003-12-22 10:01 AM

No worries, Antonio. That's why I keep the 30 pound Webster's Third International Dictionary, unabridged, by my chair at all times. Sucker is massive, but I use it extensively. Both mackintosh and macintosh are correct, as is the shortened mack, meaning basically a raincoat or piece of rubberized fabric. Toss in a sou'wester and you have the complete rig.

Greeneyes

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-09-09

Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind

13 posted 2003-12-22 10:03 AM

vivid images, and great story....well done sir...

Lauren~

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
May the miracle of
Christmas touch your
life with special blessing

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

14 posted 2003-12-22 10:53 AM

Loud applause for this fine poem...
Well done in form and content...
Thank you, Antonio for allowing me to get in the boat with you...

_______ice
><>

Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

15 posted 2003-12-22 12:53 PM

Thanks Greeneyes. I think if we have a memory, the images, they are easy to describe for as we relive them there is that same emotion coming.

And thank you too for the update on the slickers Alicat, heh heh, I do not feel so bad about my spelling any more.

Mysteria, do I write prose? I am not sure. I think when I pen a love poem to a lady it is more like prose... I do not write such things in here of course. I do write short stories and am at work on a novel as we speak. I had all my short stories destroyed on Lycos by a tiny group of people who delight in such behaviours. Now I slowly rewrite those stories and they are the adventures of a very young man who grew up with the ocean and the forest as his companions. You may know him...

Ice, nice to see you again. So you got into the boat with me? I like that, and I like that my words guided you into that very fine boat.

Thank you all for your very friendly words. I hope to return later today and visit your poems.

Tony.

[This message has been edited by Antonio_L (12-22-2003 12:59 PM).]

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