Easter morning and the first duty of the day is finished.  Fifty four plastic eggs were hidden under a fallen oak leaf, or nested in the fork of a sapling.  Frost chilled my fingers as I worked.  I, the Easter bunny fulfilled my role in the ritual of resurrection.  Three children will come later in the day…

This poem seemed to be on point to celebrate this time when lakes, and all living are reborn.

Fishing Report

by
Mark Thalman

Every spring, after the shell of ice cracks
the lake is reborn: kokanee, mackinaw,
and rainbow hunger for whatever they can find.

By mid-summer, the fish that haven’t been caught
are too smart or have become apathetic.

Come September, it’s time to hang up the poles.
The big ones are down deep
and only trout leap at sunset.

If you visit the general store,
they display photos of anglers
holding up huge salmon
and smiling like lottery winners.

Fishing is not about the fish.
It’s not even about how lucky
or unlucky you are. It’s about
letting out the line
without expectations,
telling good stories,
enjoying the company,
and reeling in the moment.

Mark Thalman has been widely published for five decades and is the author of three poetry collections: Stronger Than the Current, The Peasant Dance, and Catching the Limit. Retired after teaching English in public schools for 35 years, he is also an artist who enjoys painting wildlife and seascapes with acrylics. Mark lives in Forest Grove, Oregon; learn more about him at www.markthalman.com.