The Fisher
He watched from behind,
the fisherman’s cast.
A wait by design,
to break his fast.
Bait so delicious,
but merely a treat.
A fish so scrumptious,
his first choice of meat.
Eyesight was now poor,
resulting from age.
His brain, a new lure,
risked the fisher’s rage.
He quickened his pace
when the table set.
A fish he would taste,
the man slow, he’d bet.
Man reeled in his fish,
Unhooked the fine catch.
Now more than a wish,
the bird knew he’d snatch.
Old Salty, he ran,
grabbed the fish in beak.
Stole the fish from man,
who swore and did freak.
But Salty had won,
and had earned his meal.
It was all such fun,
man chased with his reel.
Brains over youth’s brawn,
Salty felt his best.
Their battle lines drawn,
he’d won the contest.
10 comments:
Ah, how cool. I never saw the little seagull coming. Very nice poem E.B.
Thanks Donnell. After my husband read the poem, of course he said, "I let the bird have the fish." I laughed. If that were true maybe he wouldn't have thrown sand at Old Salty.
Great to see a small part of nature win, like the bird that flew through Irene.
Yes, but unfortunately on Hatteras Island, the bird didn't do well. The natives took care of many birds who were starving and stunned by the violence of the storm. Mankind isn't the only animal adversely effected.
Very nice! I've seen Old Salty in action - he's a worthy opponent.
Yes, he's a crafty old bugger. But whatever you do, when seagulls are around--don't open a bag of Doritos! Hitchcock could have easily brought all those birds together on the set by simply opening a bag. Ferry captains have been known to ask the tourists to stop feeding the gulls-it's embarrassing to watch them enjoy junk food so much.
Fun! I've been eye to eye with a seagull a couple of times, and they do have a crafty air about them. :)
Thanks for stopping by WWK, Barbara!
Great poem, E.B. I also didn't see the gull until near the end. Had to reread it to see it from Salty's perspective. :o)
Nice job,
I actually used a different bird's name. On a different beach in Hatteras, there lives a one footed seagull. He is the real Old Salty, but I liked his name. Old Salty has been living on the same beach that we know of for 5 years. Not sure how he lost his foot.
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