Today we fish on the side of the river,
casting lines from the rocks underneath low limb hung trees.
Don't slip, if you drop anything leave it go,
for the dam water has an appetite no one can please.
Today we fish on the side of the river,
where current churns hard and rocks await beneath.
The current is strong and the slope is severe,
but the quiet pool keeps steady and fat catfish in between.
Where everything settles chum and twig float,
they'll be skulking, stomachs mean,
and if you get lucky and stay tuned
while the sun beats, beer cans tossed back to bush and tree,
you may land one worth a photo on a good Saturday,
or, at least, get a good workout because
chairs are pointless
when the face of the flat rocked ridge
beside the dam ready to take you under
is sloping something close to 60 degrees.
