Poems of the Fishermen

"Full Circle Fishing"----the poem

2009-02-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

When I
was young
I fished
in
shallow water

Just for sunnies
with
a
bobber
and
worms

Later
I ventured
boldly
out into the deeper
water
for the
bass

In my
peak years
I
loved the
walleye
and the
walleye
guys with
big boats
and
expensive
tastes

I have come
full
circle
now
fishing
at the
dock
in the
morn

I don't
even
need
a worm
I just love
the peace
the
catch
is
extra

"The Low Wake Zone"or "Graduation"-----the poem

2008-05-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Time
to cruise
with the
bow up high
Time
to feel the
breeze
and let the
cares go
bye

Houses flying by
mansions on
the side
Everything
is
free
the sun
the wind
and yes
maybe even
thee

Suddenly
the sign
"Low Wake Zone"
Mark
yells
"Slow"
HUH??

Every
Pro knows
when we
go from one
place to
the next
ya
channel
down
it's the
low
wake
zone

Time to
rev
low
focus
on the
peace
focus on the
dream
focus on the
real
it's channel
time

The Lone Ranger---the poem

2008-03-04T18:12:00.000-08:00

When
fishing
when the
nightime comes
we follow
the Lone
Ranger
and go to
town

"In the
cities I'd
be crazy
but here
I'm
just one
of the
boys"
he says
Yup we
agree

it's
a choice
euchre
or
whiskey
thank goodness
whiskey
won

The Trojan Horse----the poem

2008-03-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

The
riverboat
was
ready
beer
check
suitcases stacked high
check
bait
check
let's shove off

Soon
after shoveoff
we noticed
the
smell
not
bait
but distinct

one
wife
had
planted a trojan
hankerchief
laden with
perfume

He
never lived
it
down
It never
happened
again

Mike with fishing aid

2008-03-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

Mike-----"That Walleye Guy"---young version

2008-03-01T17:31:00.000-08:00

"Air, Wind, Fire, Water"-----the Poem

2008-03-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

T-shirt
contest
a windmill
with
four quadrants
air
wind
fire and
water

On the
edge
of the
circle
around
age to age
father to
son

a daily
boat ride
a run on
the beach
a great
campfire
and a
swim or two
or three

every
child and
fisherman
knows
to be
reborn
to start
anew
it's just
the four
and me and
you

Chris-----"Guitar Man"----plays "Roller Derby Queen "One More time

2008-03-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

This photo from a cheap camera makes Chris look like Keith Richards. Click for the largest version.

Lake Sylvia

2008-03-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

Click on the post for the larger version.

Scenes of The MachoMen: Age to Age: Father to Son

2008-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

"The Pink Suitcase"-----the poem

2008-03-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

The Riverboat
was
ready
beer
stacked high
check
suitcases
stacked high
check
beer
stacked high
check
food
stacked low
check

The
mad rush
to load
then
a shock
the
PINK
suitcase

Speechless
midst
the beer
then
"Its just
being totally secure
the package means
squat"
Cheers

"Hats are Important"---Dick

2008-03-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

Lyle Lovett had a song treasured by all true fisherman, or at least Walleye Guys. "You can take my girl, .....but don't touch my hat." For Lyle, his hat was the only thing that had been true all the years. Wise fishermen never have to make that choice, but still.....hats are important.

"Mike"-----the ultimate "Walleye Guy"

2008-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Double click to enlarge.

Huck Finn and the Lake

2008-03-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

(Ed.note: I found this little note near the dam at Lake Leota, stuffed inside a small bait can. I have reproduced it faithfully without alteration.)

I
would like
a
lake
deep
not
shallow
like
other
wannabees

I would
like a
lake
big
for
swimming and
boating
nomatter
the cost

I want
a
raft
to drift
forever
with a
little
sail

I wanna
be
free
in just
a
peaceful
place
to fish

I want
to be
free
and I
want the
lake to
be
free
too

"The Last Boat Ride"---the poem

2008-02-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

Time
to
check out
The
fishing
is
done

Electric
disconnected
check
gas
disconnected
check
phone
disconnected
check

Cold
October
wind
Time for
the last
boat
ride
let's
go

Mark and
Dave upfront
the brutal
wind
huddled
on the
seats

Brilliant
cold
vivid
colors
we all
knew
the end
was
near

He was the
glue
it would
all
pass
Now
was all
we
had at
checkout
time

"Let's Pretend"----the game----the poem

2008-02-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

"Let's Play
Ponies"
Amy
says
"Let's
Play
Ballernia"
Julie
says
Let's
PRETEND

I
love
pretend
the
freedom
of
make
believe

Let's
Play
freedom
Bill
says
I get the
gun

Let's
Play
Doctor
Bob
says
I get the
knife

Let's
play
lawyer
Billy bob
says
I get the gavel
and
the
money

Let's
play green
I get
the windmills
let's Build
em
just for show
a role
model
doncha know

let's pretend
we
diet
but
never
lose
weight

Let's
Pretend
we
love
but never
reach
out

Let's
Pretend
It's
Lent
but never
sacrifice
anything

Let's
Pretend

Lake Sylvia

2008-02-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

"A Lot and A Little"---the poem

2008-02-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

"The mystery of Lot and Little"---the poem
(Ed.note: I found these words on a scrap of paper in a book in the local library. I have republished them without editing.)

A
lot of
a
little
is a
little

A
little of
a
lot
is
ALOT

"Tsunmai" or Dennis aka "The Navy Man"

2008-02-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Double click for largest version.

"Tsunami" or "The Navy Man"-----the poem

2008-02-14T06:41:00.001-08:00

A
Navy Man
trains
to face
the
waves

Beautiful
waves
like
Hawaii
beaches
can turn
rough

A Navy
man
keeps
the bow
into
the waves
and upright

A harbor
would be
nice
but
one
is not
always
near

The waves
are
getting
bigger now
the
boats
are
getting
old

It's
harder
now to
be
a navy
man
To face
the big
Tsunami
or maybe
two
or three

Carry
on

"The Pitch"; or "Let Me Count the Ways....."----the poem

2008-02-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

(Ed.note: I found this writing on a piece of paper near the baseball diamond at a local park. It lay under a Mountain Dew bottle, and the Dew helped preserve it though the winter. I have faithfully reproduced it without alteration.)

It
Wasn't
a curve
ball
It was
a
strike

It
Wasn't
a fast
ball
It was
a slider

It
wasn't
ME
that took
HGH
It was
my
wife

I
don't take
folic
acid
it might
enhance
my memory

It
wasn't a
flood
plain
just low
ground

I
didn't have
an
interest
My
relatives
did

It
wasn't a
material
confict of
interest
It was
just
a
partnership

It
wasn't
bribery
and
intimidation
It was
just
sharing
concerns

It
wasn't
obstruction...
trust
me.....
It was
just
caring
for
friends

It
wasn't a fast
ball
It was
JUST
a
CURVE

"Carbon Credits"---the poem

2008-02-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

I
love it
when
we trade
carbon
credits
I get to be
eco-bad
the
credits make
me feel
good

I love
it when
we
trade
honesty
credits
You get
to
lie
but
the
credits
make you the
good guy

I love
it when
we
trade
abstinence
credits
you
get
VD
but the
credits
make you
feel
cured

Muscles----the poem

2008-02-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

Lord
I can
hardly
remember
when I
could run
fast
and faster
each
day

When
Better
was
easy
When richer
was
easy
When
Sooner
was always better

Now
when I have
seen
both
sides

When I have
no
choice
of faster
or
better
or
younger

Teach me
to wait
and lift
the weights
heavy weights
and wait
till
the time
comes to
win

The Early Years

2008-02-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

Double click photo to enlarge

"Those Walleye Guys"----the poem

2008-02-04T17:41:00.000-08:00

The Walleye Guy----the poem

(Ed. note: On the eve of the fishing visit of Pres. Vladimer Putin of Russia to Kennybunkport in Maine to visit President Bush, I found this little poem crumpled up near a local fish shop in Madison. I have dried it out and preserved it as best I can for historical preservation. _

I love those
Walleye guys
the way
they always
love the most
expensive
fish

I love the way
they
never settle
for just
a sunny or a
lowly perch
the way they
persist for
nothing but
the best

I love those
walleye guys
the way they
always have
someone near
to bait their
hook or
clean the
catch

I love those
walleye guys
the way they always
get the biggest
boat, so not
to cramp their
style

I love those
walleye guys
the way they always
whisper
a little
business in
my ear
even though I
couldn't care
just to make
it tax deductible.

I love those
walleye guys
the way they always
hire a guide
so we never feel
uncomfortable
and lost
in any
way

I love those
walleye guys
the way they cook
that walleye in
upscale ways
It's so precious at
$300.00 per lb.

The Litany---the poem

2008-02-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

I love
it when
we
pray
together
or was
it
prey

I love
it when
we
lie
together
or was
it
lay

I love
it when
we
preserve
the
past
together
to
forget
the
present

Tales of the Fishermen

2008-01-20T09:27:00.000-08:00

(Ed.note: double-click photo for largest version.)

"The Big Lure"---or "Fear of the Lord"====the Poem

2008-01-11T18:13:00.000-08:00

I
remember the
day
when the
big
change
came

Time to
put away
the worms
time to
put away
the bobbers
and such...
time for
the big
time of
lures

I needed
help that
day
you were there
I needed line
that day
you were there
a little faith is
great

But most of all
I remember
when I
made the
move
and stood
in the tippy
boat with
them waves rolling
with a
crowded
boat

I saw the looks
I saw the
smiles
I saw
the
Fear
of the
Lord

Sure am
glad
the six hooked
lure
missed
you
all
alleluia

"Sleepless Nights"---or "Wind Turbine"----the poem

2008-01-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

(Ed.note: I found this short note wrapped up in a used Starbucks extra bold coffee cup lying in the gutter near the Wind Prairie. I have reproduced it without alteration.)

I'm
Losing
Sleep
over you
It must be
you
tossing
and
turning
I just
can't
sleep

I'm
losing sleep
over you
It Must
be
You
30 years has passed
I knew
you
well
but
It must
be
You

My heart
is breaking
over
you
It must be
You
Night after
Night
dreaming of
sleep
My heart is
breaking
over
you

My Wife
isn't
wondering
about you....
Sleep
loss and
heart
disease.....
It can't
be you
It must
be the
wind turbine
next door

Start my Car---the poem

2008-01-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

(Ed.note: A modern alternative to the Rolling Stones, "Start My Car."

Today when
you
start your
car
the question
is not
if it turns you
on
but
if it
starts at
all

The question
is
not if
it burns
gas
but whether it
could burn
soy

The question
is if
you
could not
afford
a soycar---
might
a bike
do

"Tis the Season"---the poem

2007-12-31T07:13:00.000-08:00

Tis the Season----the poem

(Ed. note: I found this short poem scribbled on a crumpled piece of paper and stuffed into the mesh bag on the back of a motorized wheel chair carelessly parked near the bridge that crosses Allen Creek. After extensive analysis, I have discovered the words and have faithfully reprinted it without any editing.)

To Everything
Turn
Turn
Turn

That was the chant
or was
it the
rant

Tis the Season
To
Remember
or Season to
Forget
Which
is Best
I
cannot recall....

Time to
Build
or
Time
to
Flood
Which it
was
I
forget or
was it
pump

Time to
Love
or
Time to
Hate
Which it
Was
I
Forget.....
or was it
Regret

Time to
Pray
or was it
Lie
So hard
to know
the reason
why

Time to
MAP
or Time
to
lie and
then
map

Tis the
Season

"When I Say I Love You"----the Poem

2007-12-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday, September 30, 2007
When I say I love you.......----the poem

(Ed.note: I found this little poem all crumpled up next to a local pub near the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis right after the Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Enjoy.)

when I say
I love
you
I want it to mean
more
than I love
skippy peanut butter

I want it to be
more
than just the
rush
of a mocha with
double sugar and
whipped
cream

When I say I
love you
I want it to be
more
than the normal
addiction
more than the normal
collection
of things I pursue

When I say I
love you
I mean it must
be really
serious
like
heavy duty
sports apparel
not Viking stuff
but
Packer gear

"Laptop Girl"----the poem

2007-12-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

Laptop Girl--the poem

(Ed. note. On the flip side of that little piece of paper from the Eager Library that brought us "Cellphone Love", was this matching poem. I have faithfully reproduced it without editing.)

Laptop Girl

Thank you for
visiting
lap top girl
I know you're so
busy...
Yes
the best spot
is over there

I love the power
suit
blue
lap top girl,
The mocha to the
left
planner to the right

One flip and
You're
connected
Oh my, you're so
organized
so hip in
every
way

I'll just go
out for an
errand
lap top girl
I love the way
you don't
even miss
me

I love the way
your mouse
is built in
always ready
to serve,
to find the location
you need

I love you
lap top girl
you're
your everything

"Cellphone Love"----the poem

2007-12-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Cellphone Love

(Ed. note. The Observer was surprised to find this little poem tucked into a book he was reading at the local library.)

Cell Phone Love

I love
The Way you love me
Cellphone
Always ready and
There for me

Always opening up
With the flip of the wrist
Always Ready
Unless
Your battery is
Low

I love how you fit on
My ear
Always ready
to hear my Every
Little
Word

I love how you
take my picture
constantly
even when noone
else cares

I love you
Cellphone
You are
all
mine
on a monthly basis
subject to disconnect

"Those People"-----the poem

2007-12-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
"THOSE People----the poem"

(Ed.note: I found this short poem crumpled up in the gutter near a local real estate office. I have reproduced it without alteration.)

Whatever
Happened to
Those
People
Who
Used to Come to
Town
With the kids
who always loved
to run in the
park

Whatever
Happened to
Those
People
Who
we all knew
by name in 24 Hours
We would
wave
to let them know
we thought ourselves
friendly

Whatever
Happened to
Those
People
Who used to buy the
Houses and send the
Kids to school to
Keep our growth
bicycle on a smooth
path

It's too
bad
Those people
cannot come to
town
to buy what we
have to sell and
share
the
new
with me and
you

The For Sale
Signs
Will have to stay
till
THOSE people
can afford to
buy
I just wonder
why
and how long it
will be

"Big Little One"---the poem

2007-12-07T14:17:00.001-08:00

Saturday, July 01, 2006
Big Little One--the poem

(Ed. note. The Observer found this little poem crumpled in the corner of a large automotive car care center in Madison. I have faithfully reproduced it without alteration.)

Big
Little One
Driving
the little
Big
Car

Big
Little one
Strutting
Here and
Fro

Barking
Orders to all
and such
or best of all
to
none

Better
to be
All N One
than
Rely----
Talking to all
N One keeps the
talk among
friends

Big
Little
One
Strutting all About
So Many Cylinders
So Little
Power

"The Deciders Prayer"----the poem

2007-11-17T09:32:00.001-08:00

The "Deciders" Prayer

I
believe
in academic
freedom
as long
as
there's no
time for
questions

I believe
in
diversity
as long as
there's no
time for
differences

I believe in
sharing
feelings
as long as
there's
no time for
change

I believe
in
globalization
as long as
there is
no interference
in corporate
takeover

I believe in
authority and
responsibility
as long as
there's no
micro
management of
my
performance

I believe in
war for
eternal
freedom
as long as
it
continues
forever....or
at least
till I
leave office

"I Believe"---the poem

2007-11-15T17:35:00.001-08:00

"I believe"---the poem

(Ed. note. I found this poem crumpled up and wrapped in a brown paper sack in a dumpster near the Old Ace Hardware on Main Street in Evansville. I rushed home to dry it out from the liquid stains and have worked diligently to preserve this text, which I have reprinted without editing.)

I believe
in
brick
solid and
brilliant
glaze

I believe
in
building
with money
taxpayer
money
mostly

I believe
in
brick
that lasts
forever
I
think---
I hope

I believe
in
windmills
and mini
museums
that last
forever
I
believe

"Lunch Pail Love"---the poem

2007-11-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

Lunch Pail Love

(Ed. note. I found this note on the floor of a local grocery story near the deli counter. I have reprinted it faithfully. )

I
Love you
Lunch Pail
Guy
The Way you always
Come at
Noon
Always ready to
Order right
Now

I love you
Lunch pail guy
The way
You're always so
cool
The way you
look
at well.....
Everything I
Display

I love you lunch
Pail Guy
The way you
Hesitate
So nervous like
and then....
Decide....

I'll have the macaroni and
cheese, a full
pound.

Oh Lunch Pail
Guy
You know what
you need

"The Point"----the poem

2007-11-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

The Point----the poem

Point
is
where the
action
is

Point
is where the
contact begins,
where the
future
begins

Point
is where
life
begins
and
ends

Point
is where the
bullets
fly
and the screams
end

Point is
for
courage
and fear
combined

I'm gettin
tired
of point
somehow
tired of the
death and
mounds of
bodies

Tired of
the gazers too
scared to
lead

Point
is where the
death
and
rebirth
happens

Point is where
the
leaders
reign

"The Low-Key Bar"---the poem

2007-11-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

Sunday, August 5, 2007
"The Low Key Bar"----the Poem

The Low-Key Bar----the poem
I love the
low key bars--
a b-flat maybe---
that move each week
bobbing and
weaving
to the
hiphop beat

I love the
quiet
way that avoids
any question
that loves
the peace of
domination

I love the
dance of toe-to-toe
or maybe "quid pro quo---"
It's so hard
to know
when the dance
is over
or just begun

Is this
the bar?
or
that?
Have we shuffled
yet?
We have the
license-----
the bar could
be anyware

"Quid Pro Quo"---the poem

2007-11-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

Sunday, August 5, 2007
"Quid Pro Quo"-----the Poem

Quid Pro Quo---the poem
I love it
when we
dance
quid pro
quo
ya know
Just toe ta
toe

I love it
when we
go
progressive
not house to
house
but entre to
entre
or
energy grant to
energy grant

I love it when
we go
right to
right
but mostly
we
go
left to
left

I love it when
we go
PAC
not dutch treat
It's like
Christmas
except no
messy
wrappings

I love when
we go
no notice
when we
slip in the dark
booth
for an early
ham and
eggs

I just
love you
PAC
You're my
everything

"The Czar"---the poem

2007-11-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

Sunday, August 5, 2007
"The Czar"----the poem

Monday, August 28, 2006

The Czar---the poem
(Ed. note. I found this little poem on a crumpled piece of paper at a local Manpower office in a nearby city. I have faithfully reproduced it without editing.)

It would be
great
to be
bop
like sha na na

To dance on
lighted stage
to
screaming
fans and toss
t-shirts... and
whatever

It would be
great
to be great
not just near
let's make it clear
but yes
afar

To strut
proud and tall
near and.....
afar
to be a czar
to rule
if not a
town
at least a
bar

"Let the Market Decide"---the poem

2007-11-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Poem---"Let the Market Decide"

"Let the Market Decide"
( I found this little poem wrapped up in a mayonaisse jar, lying in the gutter near the Lake Leota Park. I have reproduced it without alteration.)

I love
my old
friend
Laissez-Faire
I call on him
whenever I
like to be
alone
whenever I
feel someone wants
some money

I love
my old
friend
Laizzie Faire
except when
I need
a grant or
two,,,,or even
three if
need
be

"Let the
Market decide"
that's the
cry
and it's
so nice I know
so well it's what
I do
or say

Just
stand
or maybe
sit,
bow
or kneel
or whatever ..just do as
I say
that's the
special
lazzai faire
way

The Color of Money

2007-02-23T15:07:00.000-08:00

When I
Say you
are
green
I
want
it to mean
more than
you buy
an extra
electric
car
to match the
SUV

When I
say you
are
green
I want
it to mean
more than
you use
half-caff with soy
in your
medium
latte

When I
say you
are
green
I want
it to mean
not
every contractor in
town resists
solar and
energy star

when I
say you
are green
I
want it
to mean
more than
you are totally
naive and
let others
write
your
stories

Full Circle Fishing----Mike's Version

2006-01-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

Mikes version: (As suggested by Chris)

When I was young
I fished in shallow water
Just for sunnies
with a bobber
and worms

Later I ventured boldly
out into the deeper water
for the bass
but the sunnies
ate all my bait

In my peak years
I loved everyone else’s walleyes
and the walleye guys
with big boats
and
expensive tastes

I have come full circle now
fishing at the dock in the morn
I don't even need a worm
which is a good thing.... since
those darn sunnies just ate my bait.

"Sunfish"----the poem

2006-01-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

In
my younger
years
when
sunfish were
king
the fishing
was
easy

A
rowboat
or maybe
a
10 HP Merc
or even
a trolling
deal
would
do

The cheap
cabins
100 a
week
a trip
to town like
the lone ranger
at night

Time flies
on
now
dreams
of those
fishing days
remain....
the days
when
sunfish
were
king

"The Observer Prayer"

2005-12-07T14:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday, September 3, 2005
"The Observer Prayer"

Thursday, September 01, 2005
The Observer Prayer

Lord
When I was young
I had answers,
Now, I have only
questions

Teach me when I think I have the truth,
to pause and just ask
Questions,
and then shut up and
Listen

Teach me where there is
strident certainty
to look for
fear
and where there is difference
to look for
unity

When I face those who
think they are
self made and independent
Lord, remind me that all that is
beautiful and strong
You created in abundance for
free

Finally, Lord,
In the midst of a battle
Remind me to just wear
My Observer hat and
Observe