Joseph P. DiMino Poet Prose Poetry

A Fishy Tale

I spoke to the sea,
 a calm breath
though a gale raged
inside of me – both my
sails shredded, I begged
for mercy: 

“Thou art the greatest world current,
what brag would be a wretched notch
like me!? Devourer of coasts!
Reshaper of vast continents! Bane
of man’s mightiest fleets! Countless
formidable have foolishly challenged thee, and now 
lie silent in your crushing depths...were I
added to such esteem numbers,
a bald-headed, gray bearded, toothless
old dote, it would be a disgrace~ 

better toss me high into the
air, toward that island over there, for 
unlike you, Great Wet Majesty, crocodiles
and lizards have no pride; then there
not be shame of yours to hide – 

promise, never will I return….”

and this, dear children, is why 
grandpa cannot take you fishing --

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Joe Maverick July 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM Well you could have just said no, Joe i'm a grumpy, so and so..Yet old fisherman have To spin yarns i guess.? Lol)) anyway i enjoyed.' Joseph P. DiMino July 12, 2025 at 4:57 AM It takes a fish tale to get their attention -- they don't try to understand a word of my poetry:) Hope all is ok with you, Joe; blessings my friend.

Valsa George July 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM This I love a lot. Before the might of the sea... who are we! Let us not foolishly challenge its might, depth and width and court the sad fate of our predecessors. I enjoyed the hilarious tone of the ending lines. Into my FAVE. Joseph P. DiMino July 9, 2025 at 1:21 AM So pleased you got a laugh from this write. All in fun. Actually, my grandchildren have children...and they are always taking their brew on fishing trips and other family outings.

Hilda Greenhough July 8, 2025 at 8:17 PM This is funny and cute. The ending is a devious surprise. Good work on a fascinating story. Joseph P. DiMino July 9, 2025 at 1:23 AM Hi Hilda; all in fun. No truth to any of it. Just a fishy tale. Blessings my friend.

Anne-Lise Andresen July 8, 2025 at 12:38 PM - Avoid things that take more than they give, Joe :) - hugs Joseph P. DiMino July 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM Have self worth. A good lesson. Thank you, Anne. Have a great day!

Andrea Dietrich July 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM Haha excellent excuse for not going fishing! Joseph P. DiMino July 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM I've got other stories for why grandpa cannot buy them their first car or pay for psychic readings. Blessings my friend. Have a great weekend.

Silent One July 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM Hey Joe... This feels like a wild, funny, and oddly touching monologue. Grandpa’s basically having a full-on existential breakdown in front of the sea, begging it not to destroy him like it has so many others. He’s in awe of its power, totally humbled, and just wants to be flung onto an island instead of dying a dramatic sea death. Then the kicker at the end “and this is why grandpa can’t take you fishing” — totally flips the tone. It’s like, all that emotional chaos… and it ends in a joke. It’s playful, a little tragic, and full of personality. Loved the unexpected twist. Joseph P. DiMino July 6, 2025 at 11:21 AM Thank you, Si; it was a lot of fun to write. What the heck, can't be serious all the time. Blessings my friend.

Kim Rodrigues July 6, 2025 at 6:33 AM This is great, Joe! Fave! Much like grandma…me, who in the past might have dived right into the kayak, but with problems, think I’ll stay ashore. LOL Joseph P. DiMino July 6, 2025 at 7:56 AM Hi Kim; even if I could, by sheer will, swing the diving in...getting back out would require major geometry. Followed by a week's therapy. Thank you, my friend. Have a great weekend!