FISHING

Poetry

Fishing

Gopa Ranjan Mishra

Like a seasoned angler sure of his feat
With fishing rod and line, and bait
I said, "you all, wait for me
Fish-try tonight our dinner be."

Fishing

Though none of them did say a word
On my face, yet I heard
Some chuckles sure at my back
I told myself, "Let me come back."

To the nearby pond I straightaway ran
With fishing-tackle, and of course, a can;
The minutes passed and the hours dragged
It seemed no luck that day I had.




I thought fish-less I'd return home
And would face the jeers of some
I threw my line with a fervent wish
"Oh God, today please give me a fish."



And lo, the float sank, rose again
and popped its head to tell me then
"This is just the time, you man, 
To catch a fish you can." 

fishing

Without delay I pulled the string
And what a catch did it bring!
A one-foot fish, bright and fair
That wriggled and wriggled in the air.

At this my joy knew no bound
I ran excited round and round,
But with a gasping mouth and wistful look
It seemed to say, "Please unhook
Me and let me go again
To my home, my watery den."

I did think of my three hours' labour
And the spicy fish-fry flavour
Back home some mocking face would stare
For nothing, however, I did care.

As the sun was sinking behind the hill
A strange feeling my heart did fill
In the evening's crimson glow
With greater joy, I let it go.

Glossary

seasoned          (of a person) with a lit of experience in a particular kind of work
engler              one who fishes with an angle - a hook, attached to a fishing line
bait                  food put on a hook to catch fish   
chuckles          silent laughter, (here: meant to taunt)
fishing tackle  all the equipment, such as rods, lines,bait,etc.. used in sngling
jeers                taunts, rude remarks

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