Rhiannon had suggested in the day 6 NaPoWriMo prompt at Read Write Poem that we sort through a collection of our pictures as inspiration for this day’s poem. Although I veered a bit from her precise suggestion, the process of sorting brought me to the pictures I have of my fishing adventures, and that inspired this — so thanks Rhiannon!
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
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•
cliff-climbing conifers
stir in the brisk dawn
as breezes swoop the gorge
rustle my jacket
nip my cheeks
across the casual rapids
near the stony shore
rainbows surface in slack water
hungrily gulping morning hatch
my most recent offering undulates past
in the glinting chatter of spring flow
unacknowledged
chuckling
I turn
elbow steady
I begin to rotate my lengthy bamboo
behind to two PM.
silently stripping the slender thread
from current’s surface
leaving a razor crease
disappearing quick as it comes
the lacquered rod bends forward as I lift
then slowly flexes back
the line arcs behind in flight
trailing silvery spray
backward pressure builds
as line nears full unfurling
but just before
a smooth return
slowly brings the shaft
again to ten AM
now
I feel the forward pull of the soaring mass
as overhead the line recoils
midair
the glass-green fiber
rolls out ahead
over azure ripples
the singing strand painting an “Sâ€
in the cloudless sky
quick
smooth
and quiet
the line is re-wed to stream
the feathered morsel at the tip
offered yet again
coaxing a ready trout
to rise
and strike
• • •
•
fly reel freshly oiled
new tippets cut and tied firm
spring trout on the rise
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
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Fresh caught Salmon, Trout – I’ve eaten it but never tried catching it. It’s an art form that I admire but I’m clueless about the science of it.
6 of the best, so far!
I love the way you create such vivid images!
This definitely is a nice stream of consciousness! Great images, and I like the haiku.
Have had a lot of fun fishing in the past, and this poem makes me want to find some time to do so again.
“leaving a razor crease” “the singing strand” Brilliant…in each stanze you cast, and cast again. Fine work. =)
Woops…each stanza. Of course, I mean you cast each line of verse, as a fly fisher. =)
I like:
– how you use the alliteration to add to the visual imagery and not just make noise. And without over-using it.
– how time works here–for, with, and against an activity requiring such patience.
– how you let us in on your humor.
Nice casting!
Knowledgeably written, you have such a strong poetic voice. Cool Haiku too!!
Rob,
I really hate fishing and anytime I’ve gone I have just cringed at the process,bait, dead fish, hooks etc … But I really love how you write. Wonderful as always!
I like the use of time in your poem. I felt like I was in the moment!
Well done!
~Mark