And So We Fished

We climbed the gate while it was dark 
So no one saw us in the park
We’d leave at eight and we’d be fine
For ‘Mr Keys’ would come at nine

This garden where the roses grew
In memory of people who
Wouldn’t mind that we were there
For where we trod, we trod with care

Not too much gear, we travelled light
No lamps to show up in the night
We had a place where we would sit
Until things brightened up a bit

Of brick and tin, with seats within
Its open face, a welcome grin
The shelter offered lakeside views
For those bereaved to sit and muse

And gazing out on yonder lake
In no rush for the day to break
It watched the mist sit dense and white
On waters that still clung to night

But as the moon took to its pillow
Something splashed beneath the willow 
Newly crowned the sun took hold
To warm two lads who’d braved the cold

And in that dawning day we wished
For fish to feed… and so we fished
With bread or maggots, worms or cheese
To lure the carp from under trees

We caught one never, not once ever
We tried our best but carp are clever
They proved a never ending wait
But perch and roach would take our bait

And so we fished for what would bite
And every fish was pure delight
For every fish was surreptitious
Which made the fishing more delicious

Our voices low to show respect
The silence as I recollect
Was broken when the ducks went daft 
Which sounded like the whole lot laughed
Then in the now increasing light
A few of them began to fight
A precursor, perhaps, to breeding
We didn’t care… the fish were feeding

And of the fish that we caught there
A tiddler was extremely rare
Though some were bigger than the rest
And sometimes, one, a personal best

But when the time had passed us by
With Mr Keys’ arrival nigh
Reluctantly we’d sneak away 
No sign that we’d been there that day

                            *

How often have I reminisced
Of two good friends and where we fished
And of the people buried there
And how they didn’t seem to care
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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Date: 3/3/2025 11:45:00 AM
I really enjoyed this poem about you and you mates fishing - its a long while since I saw the word 'Daft' used , my dad was from from Leeds Yorkshire and used the word, made me very nostalgic and sentimental. Keep well my friend, blessings Jennifer.
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Date: 3/2/2025 4:24:00 PM
Wow. This is amazing poetry. Gotta fave it
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Terry Flood
Date: 3/2/2025 4:29:00 PM
Thanks, Andrea. Fifty one years gone by… seems like no time at all. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the fave. Terry
Date: 3/1/2025 8:35:00 AM
Terry, you may no longer have long golden locks, but your memories are still intact, and you've beautifully written them for those of us who read you to feel as if we were fishing with you and your childhood friend. Simple days should hold good memories like yours. Love your gentle serious side and I'm glad you're writing that way along with your humor. Great weekend for you, I hope.
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Terry Flood
Date: 3/1/2025 11:21:00 AM
Thanks, Lin. All of that, entirely true, happened 50 years ago. I live a hundred miles south of there now, but still see that mate whenever Sparks are performing in the UK. You will have read the full version of this (before I deleted the epilogue). I doubt I ever would have seen the place in the flesh again and, having found its ‘ruins’ on Google Earth, that’s a lucky break. Glad you enjoyed my trip back in time.
Date: 3/1/2025 8:33:00 AM
a masterpiece, terry! i love the way you've captured this memory in perfect rhyme and rhythm (of course!), making it so easy to visualize. the mood is magical. in my humble opinion, you didn't even need the epilogue, although it was interesting having some of your memories upended - i think it's more powerful ending where you did before that. i love the final verse starting with "How often have I reminisced..."
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Terry Flood
Date: 3/1/2025 11:03:00 AM
I actually agree 100% Ilene. I first started this some months ago and put it down. Kept coming back to it and, yes, the pre epilogue ending worked best. In fact, you’ve pretty much made my mind up (as I was in two minds about the epilogue). So EXECUTIVE DECISION… the epilogue is history. Thanks for your creative guidance ;-) Terry
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