He is fifty miles out of Glouchester,
fishing for scraps left behind
by the impossibly large Chinese trawler
trailing nets as long as a train.
His thoughts as deep and blue
as the ocean beneath his keel.
Ruminating on a wife and kids
left behind too often too long.
All for a hard existence spent alone on an aging boat,
as life spins on in a home far away.
A home where he feels more guest than patriarch-
on his last visit he found his only son
in an eight-by-eight cell at the county lock-up;
a result of a bar fight with his best friend
who is currently occupying a twelve-by-twelve room
in the county hospital, prognosis grim.
Prayer used to be his solace as he tended nets
which all too often came back empty.
But as prayers went unanswered, he slowly ceased
to speak to anyone in particular, just mutters
to the gulls flying overhead.
He supposed they listened just as much as the One above.
Truth be told, he didn't know why he even bothered fishing anymore.
Supermarkets only bought fish quick-frozen on a floating factory,
their last thought being suprise at how quickly it got so cold.
But the old man knew no life other than the one he has led;
and the sea still called to him with its low song of seduction.
So as the sun sets, he rebaits his hooks
and throws out nets to empty oceans.
Resting his head in his hands, he daydreams
of things he should have done in his youth
and waits patiently for the last strike
on the endless ocean of his life.
Author notes
Artist Credit-Remembering by DaveKincaid
Character: The Fisherman
A contest entry
- PIF/Thought Provoking Pic Prompt by Carolina Moon.
575 points, ended September 23, 2008, 14 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Free Verse Frenzy (Prewites Only) by poetryality.
925 points, ended November 3, 2008, 51 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - prewrites, come and get them by Ryno.
638 points, ended November 24, 2008, 25 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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Clear, understandable and a nice bit of philosophy at the end.
Found this piece quite moving. I often feel like I am becoming obsolete. But I guess in the end you have to see things through with the cards you have been dealt. thanks for your entry. Good luck.
Allan
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Thank you for the kind comment.
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wonderful, wonderful. this may have been a PW, but man! this went with my contest brilliantly! (:
great work! and best of luck!
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Thank you, I thought it fit the prompt pretty well. Great theme for a prompt.
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well alright then. this was superb. I wasn't expecting much out of this poem but you surprised me. Congrats on that. You've made a 35 on this poem. You've got a total of 65. Excellent work. Thanks for entering the contest and best of luck to you. Kahy
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i like this. the imagery is fantastic, along with the picture. i loved the third stanza, and the last two. those parts really spoke out to me. the ending was very strong as well.
thanks for entering and goodluck
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This reads just a bit like prose to me, but it is really well done -
you tell a story and insert just the right amounts of emotion -
Made me weak.
Excellent. I can't even offer constructive criticism, I couldn't improve this poem if I tried.
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I loved, mostly, how your major metaphor seemed so unintended, and related so literally to the character... it just made such a magic quality about it.
The characterization was powerful, moving and touching... it made me sad, made me happy, made me free.
I think we can all relate to this fellow from time to time, and that we all sail our own oceans of life away from others too...wishing to those seagulls, fishing with hope.
There is a screaming, and evident, X-factor to this piece. I loved it. -
feeling it
~prewrites, come and get them -
Outstanding work, yet sad and melancholy...
Congratulations on the shiny, and best of luck in this contest!!! Peace, Cyn
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that was really great
That was...wow.
I'm pretty picky.
That was really great.
I am impressed.
Visual, sad, you make me feel for the character in such a brief time.
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First off poet, you are quick. Secondly, I love the art, is it yours?
This is phenomenal, compelling, sad, and true to life. So many fall on misfortune because nature has nearly been exhausted, and time prances on as if we could possibly hold on. Those unanswered prayers were heard, and his life is a witness to all of the hardships we may encounter. Your work is brilliantly written, with stunning imagery and stark emotions.
I am thoroughly impressed and feel deeply you are someone I already know. Simply beautiful! Sadly gorgeous, and generously written.
Thank you for this poignant entry poet. I wish you well in this challenge and in life.
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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Congratulations on the HM, you told a terrific story with this picture and echoed his words well.
Sue
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you are a storyteller...
this is one i truly love.
Laney
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I love your take on the pic. You have captured his thoughts well. Wonderfully written.
Linda
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