Best Halibut Poems
"I wandered lonely as a cloud"
William Wordsworth.
I wandered lonely as a wave.
slowly, upon the ocean's tide.
O'er depths of a watery grave
alone, in current's wake I ride.
Always moving, I cannot stop
I rise and fall then curl and drop.
I've ebbed and flowed on foreign shores.
Splashed on boats with their sails unfurled.
From tropic isles to the Azores,
welcomed surfers around the world
and tried my best to settle down
in the port city of Cape Town.
My wandering days will not end.
I'm diluted from time to time,
still a wave but with a new blend
depending on the ocean's clime.
I like lapping on a sandy beach,
keeping just out of human reach.
Dolphins swim within my deep swells,
but I don't belong to their pod
and I cannot befriend seashells,
halibut, squid, lobster or cod.
I'm destined to wander and roam.
It's quite lonely without a home.
September 20, 2022
I Wandered Lonely As... Challenge Contest
Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg
It CAN be ‘fish n chips’ stop carping on, there’s no plaice for rudeness!
It's so sad to see a person out of their depths and just floundering
Why is it that some people always think they're right - for the halibut!
What a load of pollocks! Oh my cod she’s crabby … Salmon call a doctor!
I'd order fries with my fish - but I'd get hooked for not calling them chips!
I've had a whale of a time casting out the bait with these fishy puns!
Stop those fishcious lines ...no debait, 'Halibut poem' is fintastic!
It’s shellfish fishing for compliments, but I write a good monoku!
~Water Skiing,Tribute to Maggie~
Ah, indeed a summer teenage delight!
My Cousin Maggie assured me, would
make a water skier of me.
Ah, my young heart lost all frightening
premontions and took a soaring flight.
I sat on the pier, she threw me the
dauntful handle and rope.
Fear seized me, realizing the moment
to ski was indeed, here!
Her husband, Jim, was captain of
the speed boat and cheered!
It was time for me to move my
trembling, young rear!
I stood up and was on my way,
Woo-hoo and hip-hip-hooray!
At last, I was like everyone else.
Ecstatic with the water and the
speedboat as it propelled!
Alas, glory and triumph divine,
were not to be mine.
For I fell forward on my face!
And with silly pride, still held
onto the rope.
Dragged through Lake Como,
Me ~"Dope on a Rope!"
My Cousin Maggie, yelling loudly:
"Let Go! Let Go!"
I must have been in stupefaction!
Like a languid teenage halibut, I
let go of that rope.
But nonetheless,bobbing up and
down in great, jubilant summer
most memorable, satisfaction!
August 26, 2019
1:30pm PST
What have you done, for you look like a perch?
On Botox you should've done some research
I won't sugarcoat it
You look very bloated
Your face is engorged, and some will besmirch
Resembling a puffer with puckered lips
I wanna pop them with my fingertips
Dress yourself up in lace
Get rid of that fish face
Girl, you better get real and come to grips!
Your booty sticks out. You've such a huge butt
People laugh behind your back when you strut
They giggle and they wink
Some even say you stink
Like a three-day old catch of Halibut
Your teeth are threatening like a hungry shark
Who'd bite me like a mad dog with a bark
You're known as a stinker
Caught, hook, line and sinker
People point at you and call you a snark
You are as fishy as a speckled trout
So nice to people before it's found out
It's nothing but a show
Just a smoke screen you blow
A tasteless fish thrown back, without a doubt
You've earned the deserved name of big mouth bass
A loose lip fish without an ounce of class
Kicked out of many schools
Cause they didn't like fools
Shunned by all the Tropicals known as wrasse
You've been compared to the swimmer called 'carp'
A lesser species whose teeth are quite sharp
A catch that's not a prize
Most fishermen despise
No angel fish when it plays on a harp
Sometimes you resemble a red snapper
Belting out words like a winded rapper
Blah blah blah, on you jaw
Irksome as a jackdaw
You sound like the news anchor, Jake Tapper
When you swim in the pool, you're called a whale
Ya think that's due to the size of your tail?
In candy you indulge
It's the cause of your bulge
You might want to try a diet of kale
An alabaster jar
Amongst the discard
Embedded in the mud.
The fisherman
Well trained in the ancient art of picary
Catches a halibut
In the morn
It is the noon. The river is all but gone.
Dry as a bone. A bona fide state for a river under the baking sun.
The harlequin fish now ARE all dead.
The cavities once called a river
Now await the rain for life to return in its core.
Still the alabaster jar
Among the discard- waiting to be fished out.
Next to the last alive pair of toads in amplexus.
Oh the river
The supreme life giver. Calls for Anuket!
Times are desperate.
The sun is hot. The rain won’t fall.
Amethyst stones on its cracked banks
Glitter and reflect its sad facade.
The fisherman sits and grieves for the dry river
His eyes transfixed in the limestone.
Alas his halibut is still fresh
In the bucket. He reaches out and fishes out the alabaster jar.
My sister and I have different personalities
Never alike, two peas from the same pod,
but not germinated for the same Winter crop.
We never argue over mundane trivialities.
I like halibut, but she always chooses cod,
and I prefer vacuuming; she loves to mop.
But there is only one topic we cannot discuss
Our political views caused too many disputes
We disagree on the qualities of a President
and had heated debates. Oh, how we did fuss!
When I said Trump was immoral and in cahoots
with crooks, and he was a stubborn old cuss.
She fired back that Biden was senile, much too old
and she didn't like Kamala, which made me sigh.
Round after round we boxed, in verbal objections.
She watched the numbers as voters were polled
and I wanted scissors to cut off Trump's red tie
and no more commercials for Presidential elections.
Finally, I said, "Our bickering is tearing us apart."
She agreed for the need to put an end to our feud.
We're both much happier, but once in a while
she'll mention his name, and I'll say, "Don't start!"
I'd never vote for a man who's crude and lewd.
I can't understand why she can't see that he's vile.
We'll never agree on which man is most deserving
or which one truly lives by America's Constitution.
We avoid politics when we come face to face.
But I know Trump is unfit, and is totally self-serving
Biden isn't perfect, but Trump started a revolution.
He made a mockery of the office. Such a disgrace.
Yes, I blame him for inciting the Capitol subversion
But didn't say a word to her so we'd keep the peace
Sometimes it's still difficult not to interject a belief
so we talk about taking a pleasant holiday excursion
perhaps to the Caribbean or to the isles of Greece.
I'm just glad that we found a way to stop the grief.
Said a Cod to a wise old Eel,
I would like to know how you feel?
Though people snack on dips,
Lots more eat fish and chips.
They say it has great meal appeal!
Said the Eel to the wise old Cod,
I find that unusually odd.
I've never had to worry,
As so many eat curry.
Very few are after my bod!
Just then a worldly old Squid,
Doing what Squids always did.
Went swimming slowly on by.
Said he "Me, they'll never fry"
"They'll only eat me jellied!"
Next came a Lobster and Blue Crab.
Followed by a Flounder and Dab.
They agreed with the old Cod,
A fish with a succulent 'bod'
Always ends up on a slab!
Then a Shrimp, Whelk and a Mussel.
All went by in a hustle.
Then the Winkle with the Clam,
Who said "I'd better scram!"
"Cos I give chowder its muscle!
Following next came the Herring,
In a disguise he was wearing.
For he was truly afraid,
That the batter being made,
Was for him. His instinct unerring!
Then both a large and small-mouthed Bass,
And a lone, solitary Wrasse.
Not to forget the Scallop,
Going by at a gallop.
All getting away en masse!
Next Mackerel, Haddock and Plaice.
Not one with a smile on its face.
The handsome Halibut too,
Was looking glum and blue,
Which went as well for the Dace!
Now to all fish its crystal clear.
Most of them have plenty to fear.
Be they skinned, fried and eaten
With bread - White, Brown or Wheaten,
Or soaked and battered in beer!
Rhymer. December 6th, 2016.
I've got a dish of killifish
I wish to eat that silly fish
Baked, or fried in peanut oil
Roasted, dried, or let to boil.
Make me a star-gazy pie
Take me to the Catfish Fry
Lead me to the China Sea
Feed me hermit crabs and brie.
Help me out with rainbow trout
Salt and thyme and wedge of lime
Filet of sole, or snapper red,
Served up whole, or just the head.
Meals of eels caught on reels
You're the star with caviar
Butter clams served with yams
Can't say no to salmon roe.
Tuna eyes baked in pies
Oh so daring pickled herring
In the lurch for snails and perch
Ring the bells for cockle shells.
Canned sardines on toast with greens
Sturgeon, sprat, and stuff like that
Grouper, pike, that's what I like
Smelt and bream that make me dream.
Cajun shrimp for my new pimp
Lutefisk and lobster bisque
Flying squid and yellowfin
Silver carp and capelin.
Give to me a plate of oyster
Eat them raw, that way they're moister
Tilapia and tiger prawn
Eat them 'til my hunger's gone.
Hake or krill would be a thrill
Bass and shad will make me glad
Tasty crappie makes happy
Give a nod to Greenland cod
Oo! I'd like a northern pike
Barramundi served on Sunday
Grouper, alligator gar,
Halibut or no cigar.
Amberjack atop hardtack
Pan-fried kipper for the skipper
Mackerel, tasty as hell,
Lox and mullet down the gullet.
Kokanee or marlin blue
Arowana, bowfin too
Bring to me your soups and stews
Sing for me the dogfish blues.
Are You a Narwhal?
That large whale with a unicorn-like tusk,
Eating cod or halibut whenever it must,
Swimming around in small groups so cosy,
Clicking, whistling or knocking so noisy.
Are you a narwhal, jousting with others?
Animals are supposed to be configured as brothers;
Its protruding tooth, so obvious and offensive,
Reminds me of my potentiality to be abusive.
Do you joust with your neighbours, spar and contend,
That you’re more than them, yourself do you tend?
Do you stand on that invisible step that we all have,
Right beside us, all the time, to get one above?
Do you catch the other person out whenever you can?
Just for the kick and the thrill, yourself not to ban?
Do you stay with your own type, gather in small groups?
Do you trust only them so your clique has no loops?
Do you laugh in their face when they’re down and embarrassed?
Do you edify yourself with your own tales of piety harnessed?
Do you chide at the first thing you see not quite right?
Do you retain all your money, with charity are you tight?
Don't be a narwhal, just emulate their way,
That's also obvious to me on this day;
Strong, long and elegant, swimming away,
Rearing their young, keeping predators at bay.
ABC Animal Twist
Adored and diverse, life thrives on earth; each day nature sees new births.
Big and small, abundantly in seas and trees; great beauty breathes.
Chameleons, cats, corn snakes, and coots, survive great threats in life's pursuit.
Delightful dragonflies from dart frogs duck; drake-crakes scoot upon lakes.
Eagles and egrets soar blue skies; an elephant endangered cries.
Fabulous fauna: fairy flies, and deer upon flora feed needs.
Graceful purple gallinules, young goats, and giraffes bring joyful laughs.
Hag-fish, halibut and hammerhead birds…birds? Yes! Nature preserves.
Insects and ibis work their charm; crusty isopods cause alarm.
Jaguars enjoy tasty meals; leftovers are the jackals' appeal.
Kiwi that fruits, kiwi that flies both species in New Zealand resides.
Living world the Creator made; since the beginning, wisdom stayed.
Matchless miracles, wonders, and births together blessed on our earth.
Never alone, no matter where, life exists here, there, everywhere.
Oh how beautiful, artfully wonderful, God-primed blissful place.
Planet earth and outer space together share a glorious race.
Question not; God loves this world. See creations glide, slide, swim, and swirl.
Reverence life; it was made with love; He still watches from up above.
Still breezes and sunshine please; sturgeon, shrimp, salmon, and sardines feed;
Termites, thrashers, terriers and teal find niches that have appeal.
Under God's skies, the umbrella birds fly. Man ponders; God replies.
Venomous snakes make rodents quake; Vultures clean up for good health's sake.
Weeping willows watch wolves whelp; chirping yellow warblers sing to elves.
X-Ray fish known since early days leave modern man looking amazed.
Yosemite toads, yetis, and yaks live on the lands without lack.
Zoology on earth from alligators to zorilla zings!
© Name withheld for the contest
February 24, 2010
Poetic form: ABC
See> ANIMAL HABITAT PICTURES LINKS for my ABC Animal Twist poem It was posted
separately as a list poem. OK I hope. Smiles
Fished all day not a red herring on the line but I got a basketful of kipper Hunted all day not a fox one with a red herring on the line a shark ate my sandwich today He got away with the halibut a shark ate him today for the halibut He did not get away
I've traveled from the farm in Indiana, the place of my humble birth,
To places I never dreamed of seeing all around this earth!
On ships, trains and airplanes visiting fascinating ports of call,
And dining in hoity-toity eateries, more than I can ever recall!
I've dined on such exotic dishes as Beef Eterhazy and Athenian Moussaka,
Nasi Goreng, Halibut Cheeks, Paht Thai and Linguine Bugatta;
Linguine Primavera, Mahi Mahi, Lobster Thermidor and Cordon Blue,
Canard a L'Orange, Chateaubriand and savory Fillet of Wahoo!
I enjoyed those epicurean delights, but they'll never compare,
To the simple, wholesome dining on good old country fare!
I salivate thinking about a heaping plate of cornbread and beans,
With a salad on the side of fresh garden picked lettuce greens!
I drool just thinking about a hearty meal of meat and taters,
With stuff fresh from the garden like sweet peas and 'maters,
Home-made oven baked biscuits and heaps of fried chicken.
Ah, the very thought makes my old ticker begin to quicken!
Just to contemplate a repast of Bermuda onions and fried liver,
Gets my mouth watering and sets my old bones aquiver!
May you enjoy your Pate de Fois Gras at the country club;
I'll settle anytime for good old nourishing country grub!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
I’m not a fan of seafood but don’t mind
a tuna salad or fried fish with fries.
In England, that’s called fish ‘n’ chips. I find
the same name used on menus here. My eyes
spy that title easily. I am awed.
By a nice huge serving of fish ‘n’ chips.
The fish is likely halibut or cod,
but the one that passes through my lips
most often is halibut (a flatfish).
It’s firmer – more substantial – than cod is.
However, it costs more than cod. I wish
it wasn’t so dang expensive. Gee whiz!
“Just for the halibut” I ask for it!
But that's no whim; I like it quite a bit.
Have you ever been to the Arctic
and heard the "Tickling of the Ivories"?
That is the time when the Monodons
joust each other with their singular parries.
They have one thing in common...
A singular tooth that the males wear with pride.
They can swim, dive, and breach the water
on their 18 ft. plus sides.
They can move swiftly like the dolphin
when thru the water they glide.
They are not looking to skewer a meal
as in the ocean they hide.
What are these special creatures
that roam the seas so deep.
Their tusks were hunted in the middle ages
as Unicorn Horns for Kings to keep.
Related most closely to the Beluga
Linnaeus described them in 1758.
But they were well known hundreds of years before
As Vikings sought their tusks so great.
They do not eat Krill as do most whales
But dine on Halibut and Cod.
Their tastes are truly exotic
As they hunt within their pod.
They click and clack to each other
when they do communicate.
The future is getting tenuous
As to what will be their fate.
These are beautiful creatures whose 'Porpoise'
may be related to them all.
They have been oft featured on the Nature Channel,
We know them simply as "Narwhal".
4/22/17
No intentions of being misleading
Could go by bleeding
Is one way of leaving
As the heart stops beating
And the lungs stop breathing
Also could be caused from exsanguination
Across a pagan nation
Could go by strangulation
Which'll cause and make abrasions
With no intentions of making a statement
Pulse rapid then slowing
Could go by overdosing
Knowing
It comes with the risk of choking
Could go
While on the road
Or in your own home
You just never know
The voices calling
On any side of the walling
Could go by falling
The outcome would be appalling
Yet enthralling
Like something never before seen, or only in a drawing
Above the Earth's layers
Could go by the might of Mother Nature
Whether your on land or in a ship as a sailor
The odds just may not go in your favor
Sooner than later
The sight of even greater danger
Among objects that are inanimate
Could go by accident
Tragic and just about as bad as it gets
Near and far from any waters with halibut
Only an earthling
Could go by burning
With zero chance of returning
Might be considered disturbing
But there are technically worse things
No guarantees
Could go by disease
Anywhere, not just by the seas
Or any trees and leaves
Whether your a kid, teen
Or ninety three
Regardless of if it involves being annointed
It's been one heck of a voyage
Could go by poison
Which could be quick or miserable and far from joysome
I'll tell you what it wouldn't taste anything like Hoisin
And like usual fingers would probably get pointed
Due to one too many mistakes
Could go up in space
On a ship or base
At a slow or rapid pace
Whether or not the pulse began to race
All of us are fallible
Could go by getting eaten by a cannibal
Or some kind of animal
Whether or not their claws are retractable
Nobodies laughing
Could go by crashing
Whether or not it's your fault, still come the sirens and lights flashing
Like they say nothing is truly everlasting
Before during or after nine
Could go due to it being my time
Which would be fine
And rather benign
Except that I need to finish this rhyme
By: Dalton Ogletree