By Robin Fennelly

Word Count: 340

Rating: G (suitable for all audiences)

Summary: a poignant picture of peace in a poem

I went down to the river’s edge
And asked the Old Man fishing there
“Why do you sit and wait for the fish
to be caught?”

He didn’t respond and seemed to settle
In deeper still just staring out
Across the water sitting quiet and still.

I asked him again thinking he had not
Heard me and I stood by his side as I asked
“Why waste your time sitting and waiting
For the fish to be caught? The market is
Just up the street full of fish for the buying.”

He adjusted his body planting it firmer still
On the edge of a bank where water ran strong and deep.

Annoyed by his ignoring me and feeling quite intent I
Sat down right next to him and looked full at his profile
Of jaw set with determination and eyes straight ahead.

I looked at the water and saw no fish in sight
Just gurgling and flowing at a steady strong pace.

I looked out further still and saw the stillness
Held in the center of fluid space and wondered
How deep these waters reached and what mysteries
Lay silently hidden from sight within.

I looked out to the distance of opposite shoreline
Movement of others like tiny dots moving in a fabric
Of sky and space.

There were no words I could speak the peace was so
Profound as the water carried out and away all thoughts
That were not needed and all action that was wasted breath.

The Old Man had turned towards me his gaze gentle and calm
And a smile of new found understanding spread like sun’s
Rising across my face as he handed me his fishing rod and
Rose from his place of sitting leaving me quiet and still
Sitting on that river’s edge.

A young boy came up to me as I sat in this place and I
Felt the weight of his shadow and he said quite excitedly,

“Why do you sit and wait for the fish to be caught?”