FISHERMAN'S LAMENT

Let me gather my tackle and fishing gear
And go down to the water's edge.
Let me catch the big one that got away
 As I fished them from the rocky ledge;
I cast my line in a likely spot
It becomes entangled and entwined
But I pull and tug to set it free
 For I'm not the quitting kind;
I break my line and lose my lure
And the boat springs a leak or two
The sun wreaks vengeance;
Mosquitoes bite
Before the day is through;
I've had enough to drive me mad
 Just fisherman's luck I suppose
But I'll be back another day
To see how the fishing goes.

--H. McCormick