Morning Fishing

Morning Fishing Hungry mosquitoes buzz around the brush Early morning brings the fishermen to the lake They burp and pass wind, kings in their kingdom The smell of cigars and cigarettes lace the thick watery smell of the lake They are solemn men, sucking brandy-laced coffee from a thermos, warming up their own way Soon the whirr of reels can be heard a anxious men cast out into the mists, startling ducks and sending them clustered and flustered into the early air Though they stand only yards from one another they maintain silence - fishing is serious business Fishing makes them feel they are rugged men, that plaid jackets and gimme hats make them rise a step above their briefcase and top coat brothers These men cringe at the turning of the world, as nature is forced to surrender to civilization One day the lake will be surrounded by houses and stores Maybe a boat marina will cling to the shore Maybe life will force them into realizing how mortal each of them is But this morning they cast and reel, lords of the lake