Fishing for Sport

Fishing for Sport

the puckered mouth of the bass

expecting kiss

or

kiss of death

hooked in transient acrimony

swimming through a forest of

incredulous baiting

the caught fish rumbles

heaves his chest---

eyes glaze

he wants to slip her grasp

aspire to to unaccustomed waters

an unknown

fidgety fins surfing the net

anonymous striations

a current of freedom's electric bounty

until the next hook

catches his heart, dormant

in water too deep

to breathe.

erin-cilberto

12/3/2020

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Part of me wants to scream over the absurd assumption that fish can be hooked, dragged, bashed against the boat & then have a barb ripped out of their throats . . . and all this fun is considered the "humane" way to catch fish. Catch & release! Which then brings to mind the love implications of such a selfish-urge-fulfilling practice (conquering lovers). Nevermind. I need cup #2 of coffee to haul myself off this sad precipice (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding, Margie.
j.

[Lorry]

Why do I empathise with that fish so much and relate so well to the sense of being dragged from my world by a hook to the mouth. And why do I know how difficult it is to say "Stop, stop! There's been a terrible misunderstanding" while unexpectedly being removed from my comfort zone of non gasping solitude?
If I didn't know better Jacob, I'd think this isn't about a fish at all.
Any chance you could help me out with this piercing I didn't ask for? 😊

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And you would be thinking along my lines..."tight line" good for fishing for Channel Cat.
Than you for empathizing with my fish.
j.

[Chance]

Enjoyed the read. Leaves the mind wandering in a sea of past ones that got away

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Chance,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Hook, line and sinker. Makes me smile this poem. That's what my husband said to me as he reeled me in. Fishing has always been linked to romance. I guess some bait is worth biting. I've always been fussy. Great read Jacob.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like your story, Chris...He got really lucky.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Well, that's the way with romantic love. Ever hooked, ever hauled squirming to the deck. Worse, never learning, ever looking for the next beckoning bait.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Done my share of squirming...
thank you, John.

[Betty Hermelee]

Perhaps a metaphor for love; it's like hide and seek for romance; once let go and the water is too deep; better hang on next time. some one will catch his heart eventually, but not too deep; he must breathe, or else he's gone. I used to fish a lot in the FLA. keys...hated to snatch those poor fellows....they have a life too!
Yours, Betty

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really like your insights into this poem both literally and figuratively, Betty.
Thank you,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re quite welcome always J.
Best, B

[Arundass TP]

Beautiful poem, i don't love fishing for sports, it's cruel.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, literally and also when it comes to love.
thank you, Arundass,
j.

[Neville]

................ the problem I have with fishing and love analogies is ... I have so often woken up to feel gutted............................... and I'm too old now to compete................... N:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Have had that feeling as well, Neville...I am like the old man and the sea....
Or maybe more like the Marlin.
j.

[Wórdsmíth]

an imagery with a lot of perspectives.. love.. breathe and kiss.. under ocean.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Wordsmith.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

In water too deep to breathe... caught in the depths of a kiss... somehow love is like fishing...
gently, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes it is...thank you, Pat,
j.