Days of Youth and Fish

Fishing was a joy 
A way to let time float by 
Every weekend with his St. Croix in hand 
He would take a leisurely walk to the lake 
And as he did for over fifty years 
Fly fish 

It was always the act 
Not the catch 
That was his way of letting the world 
Fade magically away 

Still… these last several years 
The lake had been quiet and still 
And try as he did 
All the fish seemed to be… gone 

There were times as a boy 
When bite by bite 
The crowded lake, filled with fish 
Would grab the hook 
Until forced to stop by the weight of the load 
He would lie on the cool green grass 
And enjoy the summer sun 

But those were the days of youth and fish 
When the earth was still warmed by the sun 
We’ve taken so much and given back less 
Those days are long since gone
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

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Crocker Avatar
July 25, 2015 at 1:29 PM
Sad poem on aging. Thank you.
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