My Favorite Fisherman
I was remembering my father,
just the other day.
It’s been a lotta years,
since Daddy passed away.
My name is not important.
My fathers name was Jim.
He never called me by my name!
I was always Butch to him!
Fishing was his passion!
It was what he loved to do!
It’s where he’d be on weekends
and I would be there with him too!
Dad had a real old rowboat,
which had seen its better day!
It had a couple of minor leaks,
but we used it anyway!
He got the rowboat from his father,
when his father passed away!
So, he named the rowboat “Pappy”,
what more is there to say!
We always took some snacks along.
They were part of our fishing “gear”!
For me, there was a couple of soft drinks,
for Dad - a six pack of beer!
Winona Lake was where we fished,
which wasn’t very far.
We always had to walk there,
cause Daddy didn’t own a car!
Winona offered an assortment of fish,
like Bass and Trout and Crappie.
It made no difference what he caught,
Dad was always happy!
Our fishing gear was a basic pole,
a reel, a hook, and worms for bait.
No fancy casting rods or expensive lures!
But our fishing trips were always great!
Dad loved to tell me stories,
much to my delight!
I never tired of hearing them,
while waiting for the fish to bite.
We didn’t always fish from “Pappy”
as I had said before!
On hot and humid days, the trees gave shade,
so we did our fishing from the shore!
Dad had the patience of a saint,
as that old saying goes,
which is a very handy virtue,
especially when fishing, I suppose!
Patience is a strength I also have
which helps me cope with stress!
Where does this patience come from?
From my father, I would guess,
My father, to me, was an Icon!
My teacher and my best friend!
He taught me how to deal with life.
Advice, on which, I still depend!
Yes, how much I learned from his advice,
it’s hard for me to say!
But, because of his love and wisdom,
he made me who I am today!
So God bless and keep you Daddy.
I pray the angels will tell you this!
My fond memories of you help a bit,
but it’s really you I miss!
RIP Dad - love, Butch
Ralph Taylor
12/21/19
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