Gone Fishing

He’d ventured out with his fishing gear

Before the breaking dawn,

Packed the bait in his four wheel drive

And backed it across the lawn,

He knew that he’d be the only one

At that time on the beach,

And maybe catch, with the early worm,

From the rocks along the breach.

 

He’d parked the Ranger, doused the lights

Before he looked to see,

The miles and miles of sand out there,

But no sign of the sea.

It must have been one of those funny tides

That receded out of sight,

There wasn’t a billow or breaking crest

Though the sea was there last night.

 

He climbed back into the Ranger then

And drove, while it was firm,

Way, way out, where the winter spray

Would freeze the air, in turn,

He must have driven a mile or more

But the sea was out of sight,

There were only deepening rock pools that

Were uncovered, overnight.

 

He stopped and parked by a monster pool

In the hopes there’d be a catch,

Long and deep where the fish would keep

Till the tide came rolling back.

He tossed his line with a baited hook

And it sank into the depths,

Until a flurry of water caught

His eye, and snagged his nets.

 

And then there rose to the surface such

A sight he’d never seen,

A pale and struggling girl with eyes

Of blue, and hair of green,

He hauled her in with his net until

Her strength began to fail,

And then he noticed that from her waist

Was a silver, fishes tail.

 

‘My god, you must be a mermaid,’ he

Exclaimed, but more in shock,

And she lay still and she stared at him

From a seaweed ledge of rock,

She didn’t struggle, she didn’t fight

But she held her arms up high,

As he gently lifted the mermaid up

And he swore he heard her sigh.

 

That was more than a year ago

And the sea’s back, as before,

But he is more of a stay-at-home

Won’t go fishing anymore.

He sits and plays by his covered pool

So the contents can’t be seen,

And frolics there with the tiny fish,

And all of their hair is green.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[ANTO]

Its just as well that you did move to the Aunty-poads David, for had you stayed in Blighty you would have had to write -
"...He climbed back into the Rover then"
because Rangers arent sold in the UK - which doesn't have the same ring to it. So your emigrating was serendipitous, for this poem. Britains loss though.

I hope Burt Lancaster (The Swimmer) doesn't start his lark in the back gardens with this delightful nursery in situ.

This is a wonderful treat from the bright side of DLP.
Thank you for sharing this my friend.

[TPK Stories]

That must have been one heck of a fishing trip...good read David.

[alf]

Hi David. I am back, have not deserted!! Just a temporary absence!! Loved this!! You have not lost that incredible knack for telling a tale with a great twist at the end!! Wow, green haired offspring???? Love it, alf

[kclyaine]

This is poem is wonderful. I still wonder though how they do it. I would believe it more if it was Irish mythology, but it was seal than a fish. But isn't this against the law. He took her without her permission.

[R Smith]

haha absolutely brilliant David, a really feel good story, man meets fish, man falls for fish, man and fish have babies and the disappearing sea? A stroke of genius, you really outdid your self today and i love this :)

[Lyndy]

Haha. I love this poem!
It's a nice one about the tale of a mermaid and the beautiful sea! :D

[andrew mitchell]

A magic ride David. Fantastic! I'm going to Port Hughes bay to see if I can hook one!! Another of your very very best and so damm perfect in verse !!!:(

[Marie]

I assume the mermaid laid some eggs. I don't see how he could have fertalized them, but obviously he took the babies home...

[Barbz]

Not only did you reveal another facet of your imagination, but the magic of your soft side. Mermaids are a magical concept, you know!! It captures one's imagination...in so many ways!! Children are usually taken by them, but when a man conjures up or pens this phenomenon, it is usually a fantasy........Gone Fishing??......Barbz

[B]

You are very much a talented man
You should be writing stories as well

I really enjoyed reading this tale ......