Fishing with Dad

 

FISHING WITH DAD

Dad steered the cabin cruiser to his favorite fishing spot.
Puget Sound reflected moon and starlight sparkly ripples
on the trailing wake, like Rockettes in a precision dance.

The boat slowed to trolling speed, lucky fishing declared.
Bait disguising hooks into enticing breakfast temptation,
lines drop as the coral painted sky glows in sunup dawn.

My pole bent into an arc, I was ready to reel in a big one,
but an inner tube landed on deck, a waterlogged surprise.
Dad advised, “It’s not about the fish; it’s about the fishing.”

Those were great times, baiting a hook, learning patience,
fish shrewdly stealing our bait, and glorious conversations.
The sound of water slapping the boat like soft bongo drums,
a lunch of tuna sandwiches, Mom’s joke, “catch-of-the-day.”

Not about the fish: I remember Dad’s joy reeling in salmon.

April Ryan retired Seattle bus driver, good friend, hardworking and prolific Sharing Stories poet and writer.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
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for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" or a writer’s name into the search function above.

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