His hook was baited, his line was cast.

The moon was full above.

The dock felt cold beneath his feet,

His hand was like a glove

Wrapped tightly 'round his cork-gripped rod

For fishing was his love.

He felt a nibble, and then a bite.

He tugged and began to haul

His captive to his anxious side,

But found he was too small.

The hook was taken from his mouth-

Then homeward, he did fall.

The hook again received the bait,

The line again was cast.

The fisherman proudly held his pole-

This night would forever last.

Beneath the dock the waters flowed,

Obscuring fish that passed.

The night wore on, then dawn emerged-

His patience never-ending.

The ever-present bait below

Required his constant tending.

When, looking up, he saw his rod-

Toward water, it was bending.

A thrill coursed deeply through his veins

The line was turned and tossed.

He had to land this mighty fish

No matter what the cost.

Then feeling nothing on the line,

He feared his prey was lost.

Then once again he felt the strength

Of the vibrant fish below.

And once again the fight was on

To land this fearsome foe.

The fish lept high from 'neath the sea,

But found no place to go.

The fisherman then calmed his nerves

To make this moment last.

The sun peeked o'er the marsh below

For now the night had passed.

He played the fish as best he could

But time went by too fast.

He feared his line was much too weak

To hold this beast for long.

For as his strength was leaving him

The fish was growing strong.

He knew he must outthink this fish-

His choice could not be wrong.

The prey was guided toward the shore

By techniques deft and skilled.

A quick jerk toward the sky above

The air with silence filled....

The fish fell on his rocky grave-

For surely he was killed.

But life fired deep within the fish.

The line-it snapped apart!

The fish squirmed toward its watery home.

The fisherman felt his heart

Sink slowly through the murky depths.

The fish had been too smart.

But the fight was not yet over

As the fisherman dropped his gear.

And leaping o'er the deck's tall rails

He landed 'neath the pier.

Then reaching out, he grabbed the fish

And hugged his prize so dear!

He watched his friend, the setting moon,

Then saw the rising sun.

The tears welled deep within his eyes-

He knew he'd had his fun.

And now the night was over-