‘Fishing for Time’

In all our lives there are times that if we are lucky enough to share positively, will last a lifetime and beyond. When those times represent the passing on of knowledge and wisdom, between an older person and their grandchild, they are often very profound and special for both parties. I was one who found all the times I spent with my Grandfather who had served throughout the First World War, the best times I could ever have hoped to have. Times that changed both our lives, helping my Grandfather get through, from all the horrors he had experienced in the Somme and other bloody fields on the western front and helping me to understand what had happened throughout his life. I have always felt blessed that he cared to share his experiences with me from such an early age, allowing me to see the futility of war, through the eyes of one who felt blessed to have survived. This piece was written in his memory.

 

‘Fishing for Time’

 

Granddad why is your face so old?

Were your wrinkles made by the sun?

You always tell the bestest stories I’ve been told

Can we go fishing now; we’ll have real good fun

Granddad can we try to catch seahorses too?

Will you tell me stories about the war?     

We might catch a killer whale as big as you

Remember the giant shark we both saw?

 

This was a time of learning for the boy

He always cherished special times this way

The not so distant wharf & his Granddad

always gave him such a sense of joy                       ``` ><>

So two best friends ambled off together

towards yet another special day                ``` ><>

 

This was also a time of reflection for an old man

A time to pass on wisdom gained,                                     <>< ```

from vast experience, to a more than an eager ear

Times when he felt, a sense of belonging,

sense of purpose grown for more than just his favourite fan

A shared lunch with degrees of love;

great reasons to be so dear

 

Now my boy, don’t look at me as an old man

These are the lines of my experience you see

I live to tell you of my life & how

you can learn to be the best you can

Then along with all the things you know,

you’ll be wiser than me when you’re a man

 

In time you will see great change happen,

in many strange & unknown ways

Never forget the things that you learn today

or all the things about the past

Then where ever your life takes you,

you’ll have lots of special days

And when my Great, Great Grandson goes fishing,

all our memories will last

 

There are many, many paths

that you have yet to walk & see

You know, lines will form upon your face as well

They’ll form a whole montage of times

Just like this & of those times yet to be

Those lines will show your Grandson,

that there are lots of stories, you can tell

 

Now are you going to catch

that fish nibbling on your bait?

Or just give him a free feed

just to help him grow

Granddad, I remember you taught me

that I should wait

You’re funny Granddad,

I’m listening, don’t you know

 

You know son, I’ve seen a lot of hatred

during life & throughout the war years

It’s caused by not understanding our fellow man

All people are like you & me, they love & wish

They all have families with many hopes & fears

So always try hard to understand other folk if you can

I’m sorry son, I talk too much,

I should be quite when we fish

 

You’re funny Granddad,

I like to listen too much, don’t you know

That way I hear the birds deciding where to fly

Granddad I can tell from the clouds,

which way the wind will blow

Look Granddad, the gannets are fishing too,

it’s fun to see them diving from the sky

 

They must have real good eyesight                        <>< ```      

to see the fish down below

Skimming just above the waves,

I love to watch them all in flight

Granddad, I’m never scared,                     ‘’’ ><>  ``` ><>          

I’m brave like you, don’t you know

 

You know son, you take your Grandson fishing,

you’ll both be happy as can be

Make sure you spend good times together,

really special days, just like we do

Your furrowed brow he’ll ask about,

so you tell him, you got that from me

Because we shared lots of scones & sandwiches,

buttered with, all the love I have for you

                                                       

                         *~ Pearldiver~

                                                           

Copyright © 2009 Rob Welsh - Art of the Diver with all rights reserved.