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Open Poetry #31
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Flyfishing
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Flyfishing |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn 
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Late on summer afternoons I’ll sometimes leave my book on the porch rail and take a flyrod on that short walk to the river to fish in my no-frills fashion wearing shorts, sneakers and a very old t-shirt I leave the fishing vest and waders hanging restless on their pegs envious of the one small box that rides in my pocket containing a few hooks dressed in the feathers and fur that make up their grasshopper suits and hellgrammite capes I make it my job for awhile to be the puppeteer that animates them producing and directing small fables for a Piscean audience A favorite tale about the grasshopper, who, in the ego of youth, attempted and failed to jump too broad a span and was swept struggling too far from safety Or the one about the greedy damselfly larva unsatisfied with his position in life, crawled from under his rock to fly in the stream on wings he imagines So, I wade knee deep, careful not to stumble and slip on the bones of the river to a place where the water flows thoughtful by willow and reed Casting ersatz supper to indifferent diners But the fishing is fine, really it’s one of the reasons I stay in a shack that's too close to the river and a little too open to winter Another, is the solitude that allows me to disguise myself as a man nudging trout from an afternoons nap all the while, studying the physics of light Noting, that at certain times, on certain days the clear blue sky slips beneath the water enabling me to, at once, observe both fish and bird Allowing me to see herons flowing in the current Or gentle Ophelia, at rest on a bed of water borne clouds no longer mad, her songs finally quieted floating slowly away through the pages of evening "In looking Northward, I see a light" [This message has been edited by wranx (02-25-2004 11:37 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved | |||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Sheesh, makes me want to fish and I don't even own a pole, wouldn't know how to use it if I had one in my hand. "I make it my job for awhile to be the puppeteer that animates them producing and directing small fables for a Piscean audience" you are a masterful puppeteer/fisherman |
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MARK V SHELDON Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015In a corporeal internship... |
Always enjoy your descriptions and observations... This one especially caught my attention: Noting, that at certain times, on certain days the clear blue sky slips beneath the water enabling me to, at once, observe both fish and bird Nice work, Ed. -MVS You CAN make a difference: |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Ed, this one totally grabbed me And, it is one of the finer pieces, I've read Fishing is, about challenges, and giving, and taking. And also about, beauty, and survival Many of the same things, life has to offer, and is about And whether it’s a fish, or an answer. We all have to find the right bait, and right approach that works best, for us Let’s hope we all learn how, to bring them in the net Thanks Ed  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
What a beautifully comforting read... I know someone who would enjoy this very much! |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
yes..you were right..I enjoyed it a great deal.. not only for the places it took me from my own experiences but for the insightful way it sees beyond the mere act of fishing... Nice work Ed.. very nice! and I do thank you for sharing it..I needed a bit of sunlight and water this AM to if nothing else help me put things in perspective... and for you sir..I offer my own version..written some time back... Arched Stone spanning Silver blue sparkles Of movement Above rainbow And brown Lying eddy Still thows deep shadows On sand long carved Pools green deep As I cast along Edges swirling Chaotic among Boulders washed From past floods Arched line spanning Fulfillment and hope Falls gentle on Currents running Long before there Were words to Contemplate And as the drift Carries feathered color Over wary minds How can I help But strike A thought |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
oh this was fantastic, love fishing to, and leave my vest and waders packed away, there is nothing more revitalizing (except the ocean) then experiencing the oneness with nature/thoughts and the tranquil hypnotic solitude with all....wonderful write...fly fishing, I think, is an art and sound of music! I guess you've seen "Where the River Runs Through It"? I've always thought they should accompany fly fishing with symphony and a lot of strings and flutes! |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Thanks friends, for the read. And Ron? How could you not? Hope your AM is on the mend. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Or gentle Ophelia, at rest on a bed of water borne clouds no longer mad, her songs finally quieted floating slowly away through the pages of evening ~*~ This has stayed with me allllll morning.... |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
"I make it my job for awhile to be the puppeteer that animates them producing and directing small fables for a Piscean audience" and... "Allowing me to see herons flowing in the current Or gentle Ophelia, at rest on a bed of water borne clouds no longer mad, her songs finally quieted floating slowly away through the pages of evening" Wonderful write...I can feel nature calling me, to come back to where I left off last September... Your imagery is superb sir. Well done! Hugs~
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
As one who likes to fish, this struck a cord with me, Ed. And you certainly captured the essence of this pastime. I was with you every step of the way. And you're right, it's more than the catching of fish...it's the whole experience that moves the soul. Thank you for posting this. believe in what your heart feels... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...You got me yearning for a fishing hole...and this: "Allowing me to see herons flowing in the current".....what an image! I loved this poem! |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
Excellent in every way! Let's all go fishin'! Grover. |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
E, I don't know a flyfisher who wouldn't love this! Well done. I miss not living that close to water these days. (don't happen to rent your shack out once in awhile, do ya?) Now I'm thinkin' I should go tie a few, even if I can't drown 'em. e |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
wranx Excellent write. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Oh My . . . you have managed to silence this ever yapping mouth of mine *smile* I saw you there, standing and the sun, shining the moss and bones the languid swim sway of fin in murky waters a billion atoms of cotton shining beneath the surface as you stare, pondering your own stance upon this river . . . This is beauty Ed |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I make it my job for awhile to be the puppeteer that animates them producing and directing small fables for a Piscean audience The ending is my favorite part... but this... this is the answer for all of those who ask why. *S* Excellent work! *S* |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I remember a long time ago, I read one of your poems and for some reason I saw you flyfishing...one of these days, we'll have that date. (Or me and Susie will drink all the beer while we watch you fish.) You captured the meditative quality of being one with the river. But then, how could you not? And sometime? I'll have to tell you about this recurring nightmare I have about fishing with Cap Ron. *chuckle* |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
A favorite tale about the grasshopper, who, in the ego of youth, attempted and failed to jump too broad a span and was swept struggling too far from safety ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My favorite lines... Dang, you've got to write a book someday and show us how it's done. Love reading your work, wranx~ |
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