Thursday, May 20, 2010

Once a Fisherman


And he thinks of the days when the fish were real
struggling in the net, then fading
on the drying sand. He remembers the clean salt smell
and silver scales clinging to his hands.

He remembers taking them from a sack
one at a time, dried and stiff with salt. Handing them
to hungry people in that famine time.
That day he pulled in a net heavy with hearts.

He rubs his fingertips together, feeling
for the slime on fish bellies, the grit of desert sand
or the tautness of salt. There's nothing now
but calluses from pulling nets

and the memory of miracles.

--image from Magpie Tales
Collection available! Knocking from Inside

26 comments:

Paul C said...

Wonderful poem about vital memories.

Kathe W. said...

Lovely visuals-I can hear the sea and smell the salty fish

Anonymous said...

The apostles as fishermen? That is what I heard. Great tale TAA.
QMM

Helen said...

Your Magpie touches all of our senses ... good job!

Melinda Owens said...

Beautiful...reminds me of "The Old Man and the Sea"

Tess Kincaid said...

Wonderful! I could feel it...and smell it!

Peggy said...

So vivid - almost like being there

Naquillity said...

strong theme, story and memories throughout. nicely written. have a great night.

Rinkly Rimes said...

What a powerful theme. And your words echo the lifelessness of the metal fish so well.

Dee Martin said...

gorgeous interpretation - felt so real!

joanna said...

Your poetry lives breathes and has movement... beautiful!

I see by your side bar you will be in the Portland bookstore in July I have to bookmark that for I live in the Portland area and would love to hear you read you poetry aloud.

Joanny

Unknown said...

Lovely poem with a great last line.

spacedlaw said...

That is truly wonderful.

Lynn ... said...

This was just beautiful ... I could see every single image! Wow.

christine said...

A fantastic picture in words, truly beautiful.
I loved that first verse and read it through and through and the last line too...the wonder of miracles. Very powerful writing.
Christine

Yemalla said...

Powerful imagery. You nailed a sad truth with amazing clarity.

Tumblewords: said...

Stunning!

Lisa said...

was he a fisherman or is he a fisher of men?

I could see the scene...it filled my senses.

Aoife.Troxel said...

So vivid! You really captured the sense of touch, which is an odd choice, but the right one. Great job. I really liked it.

Shirley Landis VanScoyk said...

Nice~

Lyn said...

Beautiful poem..so visual..memory of miracles..but the miracle of memory, too...

Brian Miller said...

oh your magpie is beautiful...i was right there with him and feeling as if i missed those days...

Helena said...

This took me back to my younger days - when fishing with the men in my family was exciting.

Suz said...

lovely

Lisa said...

Really great poem. It leaves me with a longing feeling.

Angie Muresan said...

Your poem is vivid and lovely.

www.angiemuresan.com