by Douglas Lanzo
Copyright 2020

First published in Academy of the Heart and Mind on November 9, 2020

Though large-mouth bass are great fun
taking 12-pound test line for a run,
pulling far more than their weight
when they attack your frog bait;

While pickerel pack a strong punch
attacking your minnows for lunch,
voraciously devouring prey
cruising weeded shoreline each day;

Despite the immediate attention
paid by sunfish in close contention,
battling for the very first nibble,
munching your worm, dribble by dribble;

Notwithstanding the tasty appeal
of a freshwater or saltwater eel,
caught with lively nightcrawlers,
fished from shore or from trawlers;

The most coveted fishing prize
as adjudged by my twins’ eyes,
are most elusive aquatic creatures,
displaying  strange movements and features,

Darting forwards or backwards at will
fast emerging from camouflaged still,
warding off fat-fingered attacks
that could quickly render them snacks,
with pincers prickling and clawing,
seeking to end my sons’ jawing,
none other than mighty crayfish,
number one on my kids’ wish list.