I Write Fish Home

I write fish home,

knowing their journey perilous,

pebbled with the danger of maw and man.

 

I write them home

to creek and stream,

to bear and net,

 to spawn again.

 

I write them home

to complete the cycle,

to nurture instinct,

and to validate visions

held by ancestors

worried in graves

unmarked by man’s eager hand.

 

I write them home become someone must

and because song is insufficient.

 

I write them home,

to turn toward the sun

and say I have done my part.

 

I write fish home. 

copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2012

Reviews

[KAOlmsted]

I lived in the Pacific Northwest, as well as Alaska, and the spawning of the salmon was always such a major event...I really enjoyed this piece, it has a very Native American flavor which I appreciate, having lived among that culture, and having learned from it. That third stanza is powerful stuff. Excellent piece of poetry here. Thank you so much for posting this.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments---greatly appreciated

[Leslie Philibert]

Enjoyed this a lot - a poem with an original theme, great syntax with the use of fish and a fine running metaphor - good ùn !

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Leslie!

[Aya]

Thats perfect i love it!
the last lines go with any case that is held..i write them home to turn toward the sun and say i have done my part. This is the haunting voice inside us that makes us write about what we beleive is worthy and a must.
Great write

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Aya, when I read your work I thought you might be of a like mind

[SkinlessFrank]

the smooth gravel flickering beneath cool waters....i can feel the gentle nudge you give them

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Frank--

[Pax]

great! hmm... there is something more about the fishes that i can't explain...still i really like the way you describe them... very much beautiful....
wonderful work my friend...

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Pax--

[Ruth]

Wow!
I am sharing this on FB lol
Beautiful love! A pleasure to read you again!
So much insight here xox

[Audrey Howitt]

Thanks Poppy!!!

[Ruth]

Most welcome hon xox

[DrD]

Audrey, I consider it an honor to be the first to review this work. In short, it is spectacular with word selection touching perfection. I could envision salmon leaping upstream and your approach to the theme was excitingly original. A ton of bravos for this one.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much for your kind words DrD--