Angling Poem by Valsa George
Angling
Stung by an angling fad
He took a fishing rod
And sallied onto the nearby stream
That leapt down a rocky shelf
Forming small cascades
But running down into plain ground
With a placid demure face
Uttering soft murmurs sweet
Aiming at the darting Trout
That made the still waters into spiraling whirls
He swished the rod in the air
With the alacrity of a practiced bowler
Looking at the line sinking low
He waited for the fish to nibble at the bait
Meanwhile, inhaling the salubrious air
And watching the limpid movement of the stream
As the hook line went taut in his grip
Hopefully he pulled it up
But alas! With no booty to boast!
Patiently he sat there for hours
Like a sculptured God upon a rock
Oh! It requires immense patience
With adroitness to boot
To be an angler, no doubt
That sure is a sedate man's pursuit!
Angling rarely fetches any major luck
Except now and then a fresh fish upon one's plate
Yet following one's heart's pursuit
Is worth more than all tangible reward it brings!
This is a well written poem Valsa. Fishing is a sport that I seldom take part in. After reading your well thought out poem I may decide to go fishing. Even if I don't catch anything I would have enjoyed the sport. Don't depend on me to bring home any fish for dinner. (smile) . Enjoyed.
A great didactic message of Patience is well focussed in this beautiful write, Valsa! Wonderful!
A great poem about angling, a novel subject on which to write. Well written Valsa.
Struggle is valued more than success in life! ! ! Suggestive & indicative title, skilfully carried till the closing lines... years back, this word was added to my learning, i remember the line as i teach it... I am angling now though you perceive me not how I give line... ....from Shakespeare.... then i read about Santiago - the fisherman, then the real lesson i got...the same lesson which i found in these last lines of yours... Emily says almost a similar msg in different colors as she says Success is counted sweetest: Not one of all the purple Host Who took the Flag today Can tell the definition So clear of Victory Yours is a deep poem about life and its struggles! ! !
Catching fish is a pleasure but it creates sin unknowingly. A beautful poem with stunning expression is amazingly shared. Thanks for sharing it with graphic.
Yet following one's heart's pursuit Is worth more than all tangible reward it brings! So through small things we can achieve our human happiness. Great
Valsa (and some other poets) use numerous words in their poems which I have ‘heard’ but maybe not used in my life, so I do not always have a firm grasp of their definitions. But, since Valsa IS a retired English professor, I (usually) trust her. Hee-hee. This has happened in this poem. “booty to boast” …..nice alliteration and choice of words. I like the parts (especially) about the stream with the “placid demure face”, AND the last stanza. This has been offered and gladly accepted as one poem in my/our June 2016 “showcase for P H poets”, found in my list of poems on my P H site. Thanks, my friend. Bri ;) going to MyPoemList as well.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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11/13/2025 5:52:13 AM # 1.0.0
This poem reminds me Ernest Hemingway's the old man and the sea where the old man has gone 84 days without a fish despite being confident that his unlucky streak will one day come to its end displaying his patience, diligence and perseverance......and same is the case with the angler here......the piece so beautifully scripted with beautiful words definitely appealed me the most.......Valsa......10/10