Craig Bowden Poet Rhyme

Ladder Bay

I come to this little cove often -
 no work, I have time to burn.
See Asians plunder its foreshore,
 I still fish - show no concern.

Red-bill seagulls fly in circles,
 fight over scraps they have won.
Never giving a thought to Icarus
 who flew too close to the sun.

Soon a woman wanders over
 and asks me what I’ve caught.
I tell her nothing yet but “you’d
 be a great catch” I thought.

I know the swallows smirk at me,
 my appearance they detest.
I cast my line and ignore them
(or at least I do my best).

Things start spinning in my head
 like what it’s like to drown.
Did King Neptune sit on a throne
 and did he wear a crown?

I come alone to this place often
 to remember and reflect.
A place of beauty and meaning,
 a place where I can forget.

            
          Written: 1992

                ———

Ladder Bay is a sheltered cove in
the northern beaches of Auckland 
New Zealand not too far from my
home in the East Coast Bays.

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Beata Agustin November 11, 2024 at 11:33 PM Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.

Keith D Trestrail March 17, 2024 at 4:03 AM We all need a place of “beauty and meaning to remember and reflect” and Ladder Bay sounds as good a place as any. But the irony is you also need it to forget. That’s the thing with ladders - you can climb down or you can climb up…or you can fall off. Cheers.

Karen Croft February 5, 2023 at 7:04 AM Beautiful. Sounds like my kind of peaceful place!

Beata Agustin January 7, 2023 at 11:30 PM Thanks for sharing this. Meanwhile, by God's grace, I greet you with the peace and joy from the Lord toward a prosperous New Year 2023 along this present: "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23 of the King James Bible). God bless you.

Gershon Wolf February 24, 2022 at 7:51 PM So resonant. Nothing like the water to calm the spirit and release the mind to wander and roam. ~ OTL... Gone Fishin'

Bill Baker February 13, 2022 at 10:16 PM Fishing is a good way to make time to reflect on life, pray or meditate; and sometimes even catch something to eat for dinner. I like the way you described what a person may think as their mind wonders around to different topics while they fish. I don't a bit of that myself. The Ladder Bay sound like a great place to go for a little peace. Have a great day, Bill

Harry Horsman February 2, 2022 at 10:25 PM Love this Craig, been there, I lived in NZ, for 32 years, Manurewa and Manukau, your poetry bringing it all back, yes you enhance the whole place with your wonderful poetry.

Reason A. Poteet January 29, 2022 at 6:35 AM You describe it well, Craig, sounds like a great place to viist and spend time just fishing for thought. Well-done. Have a great January day, not too many left.

Frederic Parker January 29, 2022 at 6:22 AM there's a fine line between fishing and sitting on the bank holding on to a piece of string...gives you more time to think, reflect and write

Panagiota Romios January 23, 2022 at 5:57 AM Really depth in this poem. Thoroughly enjoyed. Awesome! Panagiota

Alkas Poetry January 23, 2022 at 3:43 AM What a lovely catch would it be if it was to happen, but do not give up, someday a lovely girl will catch you ! salute my friend ! alkas

Karen Croft January 21, 2022 at 5:19 AM I like this poem alot! I enjoy being by the water side especially while on vacation.

Andrea Dietrich January 20, 2022 at 1:14 PM I like all the cool thoughts that came to you while fishing. especially the one secretly thinking the woman would be a good catch!!

Victor Buhagiar January 20, 2022 at 5:23 AM So far away from Malta. I had a fellow student who left to work in NZ. I know it's a lovely place. But life is the same everywhere. You must forget, I cannot forget.