The first used only fish for bait
He took the fish
cut it in half
nailed it on the hook and
into the ocean
He stood on every corner of the rock
shifting positions
When a wave flushed him
he took his shoes and socks off
to dry
His hands were always covered in blood
The second switched his baits often
standing on the edge. He was flushed often
he didn't mind
His live baits were eaten or biten
And he would prepare another one.
He always threw his bait farthest
into the sea.
The third swinged his rod aimlessly
yet far
And put it in a crack in the rock
And waited
He never got wet
Once he prepared a live bait
But didn't use it.
The fourth came late and left early
He didn't bring live baits at all
And held his rod lying in the rocks
He talked about other rocks
other times
further east or west where
he had been before.
Four fishermwn came to a rock
And I watched the ocean and gulls and waves
I prayed for the fish they had used
Only one of them caught any.
Guess who.
| Home | Next poem |