poetry

The One that Got Away

Sally

Do you remember that fish?
The one that got away?
Yeah — that humongous one
That amazing summer day

Oh yeah — do I remember!
That battle ‘twixt you and it?
You were so gol’darn mad
You said that you could spit

[He laughed a hearty laugh]
Oh, man, yes, you are right!
The one that got away
’cause it put up such a fight!

[So, the both of them chuckled
As they stared into the sky
And nibbled on summer timothy,
Then heaved a mighty sigh]

Yes, this is my own submission to my own W3 prompt.

A few weeks ago, I went with a friend to the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, New York. They had at least 20 Home Winslows as part of their collection!

If you’ve never been to (or heard of) Canajoharie, let me tell you, it’s a tiny town on the Mohawk River in upstate New York. When I was a kid, we went on a field trip to the Beechnut factory there, where baby food was processed and made. Some summers later, I worked at a camp in Middleburgh, New York, where I passed Beechnut fields coming and going — beautiful, rich, farming field of whatever produce Beechnut needed.

Honestly, the whole area was/is as idyllic as a Winslow Homer painting.

In Canajoharie, as part of their village library, they have an art museum called the Arkell Museum. That’s where they had this collection of Winslow Homer paintings.

Anyhoo — I had just seen (and been blown away by) Winslow Homer, up close and personal. He made (and makes) my heart ache. Hence the prompt.

Honestly, I love that grew up in, and now live in, rural upstate New York. I don’t think there’s any prettier place in the world.

As far as the big one that got away? — boy conversation since the beginning of time. Right?

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Published by Sally

10 thoughts on “The One that Got Away”

  3. Wonderful Sally, I do enjoy hearing a little of someone’s life and then how’s and why’s – your poem is lovely, and so was your prompt, which I enjoyed reading how you came about this…. I have only been to NY once but I will add this to my places to visit should I ever get to return …. 💞

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  4. Sally a most tender art work this week. It livened me more to write to it. Thanks so much.
    And your poem is stellar. The one that got away. That’s gotta be THE topic! What wonderful past time.

    And your words on finding the image is gem. Thanks altogether. Beautiful. Blessings

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