Continuing with a few of my favorite poems. It's not a top ten list of any kind. Just a few of those poems which I remember well because at a certain point in my life they had influence and meaning to me personally. I started with Percy Bysshe Shelly and Ozymandias. My next choice is The Testament of a Fisherman by Robert Traver.
John D. Voelker, also known by his pen name Robert Traver, was a noted lawyer, judge, author and fly fisherman from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He grew up in his hometown of Ishpeming. His book Anatomy of a Murder was a highly reputed best seller and made into a Academy nominated movie staring Jimmy Stewart and Lee Remick.
I became a devoted fisherman at a very young age. I graduated from the University of Minnesota and took my first (and only) teaching job in southeastern Minnesota's Bluff County. I quickly discovered I had moved into the only county in The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes without a lake.... which upon further investigation turn out to have many free flowing limestone springs and cold water creeks. Perfect for trout. I gave it a try mostly teaching myself how to flyfish. When asked later to explain my passion for this particular form of fishing, Travers poem expressed it best....
A young Troutbirder's cutthroat trout on the Lamar River in Yellowstone
“I fish because I love to. Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly. Because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape. Because in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing what they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion. Because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed, or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility, and endless patience. Because I suspect that men are going this way for the last time and I for one don't want to waste the trip. Because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters. Because in the woods I can find solitude without loneliness. ... And finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun.”
― Robert Traver
Root River Fillmore County, Minnesota
12 comments:
Wonderful words, Troutbirder. The love for fishing stands out.
You have made me understand why men go fishing. Thanks.
I never held a grudge toward a fish.LOL Went for 6 hours Saturday. Had a trout with eggs yesterday for breakfast.
Wow, he makes me want to head out the door and go fishing. Love that poem.
Who knew there was a county with out a lake in the land of 10,000? Bummer.
These are excellent reasons to take up fishing.
Oh wow. I really, REALLY like that poem. It's just so true.
I escape to the woods every day lately. It is where I clear my head and my "co-workers" are a black swallowtail who challenged me to a race today...or the coyote who popped out of the wood to say a startled "hello"....This is what makes me real and alive.
I like Mary Oliver's poems a lot. Do you read her?
Great photo of you! I can see why you enjoy fishing.
Being out in nature is so wonderful!
Dear Troutbirder, thank you for sharing Travers' poem. It reminded me of why I liked to camp each September by the North Shore when I lived in Minnesota. I went several times to Gooseberry Falls and then to other places around the state. I spent hours walking trails through the woods and sitting by the lake and listening to the waves greet the boulders there. Here is Missouri there are a few lakes, but nothing like Minnesota. I miss that camping! Peace.
I loved my English Lit Since 1877 class in college because of all the poetry.
I used to go fishing but it's not my thing. This poem is well written.
He speaks well of the sport of Trout fishing and I can understand why you love it! :)
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