The Striper's Soul

On that cold, damp beach,
I came to claim my fame
A hero of the inlet,
A master of the game.

It was late November,
The moon was shining full.
My hook was fresh with clam,
Set to bring my jewel.

So with a lofty cast,
I watched my bait take air.
Then down into the water,
It fell into his lair.

Patiently, I did wait,
With my finger on the line.
Waiting for the stripers touch,
Hoping he would dine.

The night was very peaceful
A couple shooting stars.
I closed my eyes and wondered,
Were stripers near or far.

And then there was a tug,
And then silence on my line.
I knew that he'd be back,
I knew that he'd be mine.

I took a quiet moment,
To think about his soul.
Are stripers much like us?
This I feel I know.

My rod just bent in half!
My heart is pounding fast!
My line is spooling out,
What a sudden blast!

He's on, I set my hook!
And then I set again!
I give him time to run,
My rod just bends and bends!

A light rain starts to form,
And sweat roles off my face.
There's no place I'd rather be,
Than in this misty place.

I feel that I just hooked him,
Yet time has spilled away.
I've been battling this nice fish,
For hours of the day.

I spin the reel a few more times,
And now can see his tail.
He hurls out of the water,
Within the northeast gale.

I bring him into shore,
And land him on the beach.
There's nothing more to question,
This fish is five long feet.

Between fisherman and fish,
The two of us did play.
I'll send him back to sea,
Until another day.

These stripers have a gaming blood,
It's nice to understand,
That they enjoy the fight so much,
They'll do it all again.

2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Radhakrishna Avatar
November 19, 2021 at 2:17 AM
I am a total vegetarian and would hate to kill any creature! Because I see the soul of other creatures as our own! Glad the fish went back!! A very well written poem! Love the theme, the rhyme and the flow!
Roper Avatar
November 18, 2021 at 8:14 PM
I love the journey of the verse, Robert, I am not a person that fish, but my husband and boys did. They love the peace it gave them.
Desk Avatar
September 14, 2021 at 7:47 AM
Great poem, I have done a little bit of fishing down through the years, thank you for your poetry.
Liguori Avatar
October 7, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Thanks for the comment! Fishing is fun and fish are beautiful!
Sands Avatar
September 1, 2021 at 7:05 PM
Welcome to poetry soup. A poem filled with action and suspense :)
Liguori Avatar
October 7, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Thanks. I've been busy with my poems since this first post!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace