The last few days before a long awaited fishing excursion are like the scent of fresh bread. In some ways it is better than the moment that comes after you first shred through the new loaf and scoop onto a warm slice a melting glob of butter, to bite into the steaming, delicious flesh. The scent itself always evokes the first bite that springs from the dream idealism, although the bread is not fresh for long, can be too hot or not of the kind that its fragrance had promised.I dwell in the scent of it now. Already the hours drag. The minutes eek each small tick as drops from some old tap, with a rust clogged, slow, slow drip.
The promise of the coming novemberine days is almost palpable; it is felt in the crenelations of the brain like current rushing under one's scalp: dreams of fish dancing like fish, who disappear from sight as soon as the fisherman's silhouette rises through the clear water.
Outside I hear the rain patter on the glass like impatient fingers tap tapping the ever nascent question "is it time now?" Is it time to wake up, now, to set the rod and tackle in their designated sacred space by the cooler in the trunk, and roar the engine to life?
Can the long awaited morning be here yet? And will there be enough rain?
Is it time now, to break out the sandwiches I made for lunch, to savour them and as I chew the fresh crust, ponder the brilliant morning that was and the memories that were made?
No. Not yet. The oven's just warming up, and the rods are sitting still, by the door, waiting.
p.-
2 comments:
Paul, your writing is truly inspiring. The descriptions and references you use are so immediate and familiar. When I hear those icy "fingers" roll across my bedroom window, there is a strong urge to pull the quilt up and stay in bed. Must be madness that convinces me to get into a car at 2AM on a day like that and drive 3 hours!
Cheers,
Joe
http://www.steelhead-diaries.org/
Thanks Joe :) It is madness, no doubt. Speak of it to the sane and they will only shake their heads, in pity. When we the afflicted are waist deep in the ice chipped flows, our fingers covered in fish slime and crooked from the cold, they are sleeping soundly and warmly beneath downy, drowsy sheets.
Fools!
Ahahahahahaha!
p.-
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