ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A PLACE TOO FAR


It was the lure of seafood that
induced me to the shore
where piscatory dinners came
from nature in the raw.
I had good gear, the rod and reel,
the hooks and cunning bait.
I knew that once the cast was made
I hadn't long to wait.
But demons of the restless sea
despised my merry sport,
they gathered all their evil spells
to bring my joy up short.

I skidded on the slippery rocks
which wrenched my legs and ankles,
I cursed with all the curse of hell
a line in scrambled tangles.
And when I tried to fix the bait
the hooks jagged in my fingers.
A wave smashed fair into my face,
a crab clawed at my jinglers.
There, pickled by the briny surges,
sautéed by the sun,
I couldn't think this tortured trial
was simple hearted fun.

Those fish out there, can safely stay.
They are the plaice, too far away.

Maybe you should give fishing a miss and take up writing Neville. ....sautéed AND pickled - sounds like you got out of there just in time.

Enjoyed the cooking lesson.

Heather

Lots of plaice are too far away Neville and I don't think they like the hot weather in Australia however believe you might find Alaska a good place for plaice.

You are a clever bloke Neville - it's a great fun poem - I'm guessing that fishing is not your forte

I am still trying to work out what a Cunning Bait is ?




Nev that's fishing but the bonus is that every day ya go fishing another gets added onto your life.


Put them into the bank mate.


Bob

Now I know why I don't go fishing!

Thanks for the feedback folks. I think you're right Heather.

I did realise that plaice are not local Maureen, just a bit of tweaking for the exercise.

Bob, I had my first go at fly fishing last Friday. All I managed to catch was the branch of a gum tree, behind me I'm afraid fishing is a day out of my life when I could have been doing something useful.
I don't know what cunning bait is either Bob, because nothing I use tricks any fish to bite.


You got it Robyn

Oh Nev one thing I have always wanted to try is fly fishing but I have so much success with bait or lures I just need to knuckle down one day and try it.


My son got his first flathead on a soft plastic last weekend and that's puts him one up in that department.


Nev I find when I'm on a beach with miles of ocean to myself that I can practice poetry as loud as I like.

When I start singing Willie Nelson songs I know I'm bored and have been there to long

Bob

You've just confirmed everything I thought about you Queenslanders Bob!

PS Which beach is it we should avoid?

Nothing wrong with Willie Nelson

Don't beat yourself up Nev - you caught a tree - lots of greenies would be happy with that

A cunning bait is probably something that only a politician, policeman, park ranger or fishing inspector can get away with using whereas regular people would end up with a fine or in gaol if they were caught using it.