Tuesday 12 April 2011

The Trout

The Trout

I wade into the water to the hip.
And stall and strain against the river’s push.
And on the bed those round deceptive rocks,
At first refuse and then allow me grip.

Then when a steady stance I can attain,
And feathered lure is ready for the cast,
A feeling that I’v often had before,
Tells me my efforts may all be in vain.

But banishing this boyish malady,
Determined that the battle should begin,
I survey right and left and right again,
To find just where the gamest foe might be.

From shoulder through the elbow to the wrist,
The power drives the cane to do it’s work.
The “Wicklow Killer” soars before it drops.
Delivered with that final, gentle twist.

A lazy brown observes this with distain.
And did he turn and smile as though to say,
“I know this trick, I know this little game,
It fooled me once, I’ll not be fooled again”.


David Shelton.
2010

4 comments:

  1. David an enjoyable tale of the one that got away. Your rhyme scheme fits so well with this poem - it moves with the trout

    Happy Wednesday and thanks for sharing with One Shot

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  2. From an avid fisherman who hasn't been fishing in a while; Well Done! I liked this alot. Remember: Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish and you get rid of him all weekend.

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  3. ha. fun verse...i have had a many get a way but i have also caught my fill...all the fun of the game...

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  4. My brother guides for the Ark Anglers in Buena vista, CO and I've written about this and to his marvelous paintings with trout in them. Loved this. xxj

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