Anglers Lament

God hath provoked man with many challenges about this globe. One of them requires the patience of a long-suffering Job! Ensconced with fishing pole in hand on a grassy bank, Waiting interminably for those wily fishes to yank! Whether one uses expensive tackle or a simple bamboo pole, Or cruises the roiling seas aboard a fancy yacht to troll, All dedicated anglers have their mind set on one goal, To reel in the "big one" from their favorite fishing hole! I've had some agonizing adventures that I'll tell you about, Trying to snag those very elusive and wily trout. I'm averse to using a bamboo pole and bobber, my patience is nil, Needing to keep busy with rod and reel, besides it takes more skill! Oh, to be able to recoup the many fancy lures I have lost, Increasing my grouch level, never mind the expensive cost! Or when the hook snagged my shirt or became tangled in the trees, Or breaking lines near shore, retrieving fish on my hands and knees! Consider the time I had a nice catch of trout on my stringer, And I found a hungry snake eating them for his dinner! Golf, hunting, tennis, by many are much more preferred, But from the frustrations of fishing I shall never be deterred! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)