Tiger In the Sea

I thought I had hooked the world’s largest grouper
After struggling for hours, I was still reeling
Refused help from a friend; I was a trooper
Somehow I found its resistance appealing
Hot sun on the Gulf had me in a stupor
And in my hands I started to lose feeling

It finally came into view just before dark
Was shocked to find a fifteen-foot tiger shark

He’d just been toying with me all afternoon
And he was more than half the size of my boat
I felt like a comic in a weird lampoon  
My heart seemed to be rising up in my throat
Captain Ahab might have viewed this as a boon
But far too much weight did this tiger shark tote

He bolted, took off, stripped the line from my reel
And I had to cast elsewhere for my next meal



* For Thvia's "The One That Got Away" contest (True Story!)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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12
Robinson Jr. Avatar
July 3, 2017 at 10:51 AM
Wow! What a whale of a tale, Carolyn. Outstanding humorous poet. It made me smile ... ty for the laughs. Love and joy always and forever.
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 1:17 AM
What a well written piece Carolyn! Congratulations on your win. Blessings, Connie
Pettit Avatar
February 4, 2012 at 4:52 PM
I never did care for fishing, but I liked this poem very much. As usual, you have presented a wonderful work Carolyn.
Inka Avatar
February 1, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Hemingway would be proud, You'll get'm next time. LOVE IT!!
Radke Avatar
January 26, 2011 at 8:11 PM
Oh, very good Carolyn. All the more so for it being a true story. Congratulations on your winning placement with this excellent re-telling of a fish story. I love it. Love, Deb
Brown Avatar
January 25, 2011 at 4:27 AM
Congratulations Carolyn, for the win in Dr. Ram Mehta's contest "Rispetto". Love, Carol
Neels Avatar
January 25, 2011 at 12:55 AM
Hey there Carolyn, congratulations on your awesome first place win in Dr. Ram's contest with this true story.. love & blessings Wilma
Dietrich Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 10:31 PM
A great win, Carolyn and a great story! Congratulations. LUv, Andrea
Mannan Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 7:56 PM
Wow Carolyn, a tiger shark. Amazing write my friend. Many congratulations for this top win.
Kendrick Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Congratulations on your win..Sara
Guzzi Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 2:53 PM
wow can I say WOW twice! What an adventure!! How unexpected to see this tale in this form, girl you wrote and lived a real doosie here LOL &, to my fav's CONGRAD's Light & Love [Oh glad to share the sport witha pro like YOU]
Gorelick Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Good going my fisherwoman friend. They say you should write about what you know..and you did..and it was a winner. Love..LNC
Ruebel Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Hello Carolyn, This is wonderful, congratulations on your win! As Always, Shar
Johnson Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 1:00 PM
I can see little you struggling to reel in a tiger shark. Glad you won first prize with poem anyway. love, Joyce
Richards Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Such a wonderful experience this most have been....could see it like a mini movie!! Well done, and Congratulations on your win !!
Haick Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Hey Seafaress!! Congratulations on your Ist Place win in Dr. Ram's "Rispetto" Contest!! As usual, enjoyable reading! Love to you, Annalise
Freeman Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Good again to see you at the top Carolyn. You go Girl, shine with excellence. Agape, Moses
Mehta Avatar
January 24, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Congratulations on the first place win in my contest, Carolyn
Horsman Avatar
January 12, 2011 at 9:16 PM
I swear i cannot keep up with you Carolyn, i miss so many of your wonderful poems, but a promise one day i'll fullfill my dream and read them all from start to finish. Harry
Heckman Avatar
January 11, 2011 at 8:08 AM
good luck for the contest, I entered one too. Check it out it an italian rispetto. Julie Heckman
Beck Avatar
January 10, 2011 at 2:35 PM
....just a word about ARBEIT MACHT FREI....yes you are right .....it's the same in any large city metro.....but it is actually true that I ride the metro daily and it always reminds me of old films I have seen of the dreadful Nazi camps....the world is strange - these zombie-like people change into loving mothers and fathers and brothers etc as soon as they reach home, with animated faces and jokes etc....strange...... bes t wishes...Syd
Docherty Avatar
January 10, 2011 at 10:12 AM
My you would have had more than one meal from that one! Fun read even if frightful experience, so glad he was the one that got away... well done!
Thomer Avatar
January 9, 2011 at 5:32 PM
what a poem and story all in one! best of luck to you in the contest. this was a pleasure to read indeed! --Madison
Dietrich Avatar
January 9, 2011 at 4:15 PM
ps Forgot to tell you .yes, Black Swan is a tragedy and it's about a ballet dancer.
Locksley Avatar
January 9, 2011 at 3:02 PM
What an exciting story, Carolyn! I'm glad the tiger shark didn't pull you overboard as he sped away. Best to you, Diane
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