Author Information
At The Lake One Fairly Pleasant Morning
Did that wise carpenter so soon forget
how many years I have toiled on this lake?
But, somehow confident upon his word
(also remembering reports I heard
quite recently), I cast back out to let
down one (just one, newly mended, washed) net---
although we had caught nothing through the night.
A mist seemed to surround us, and the light
seemed slanted as if, say, the sun had bent
down to watch with us. Then the cork-floats went
down as the boat's boards creaked and groaned with weight
that jerked us as the lines began to break.
We called our partners to us, to assist,
but even with their help a little list
delayed us. My head spinning, I thought, "Can
"I claim I ever had a catch as great?---
"no, never!" But, despite my fresh elation,
this flesh was full of fearful hesitation;
and thus, on shore, my craven supplication---
"Depart, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
Starward
[jlc]
