Adam was just turned eighteen <br />A fisherman by trade <br />He went out with his father <br />Six days a week, in their tiny boat <br />Now Adam thought it was <br />High time he had his own boat <br />But his father disagreed and said <br />That there wasn't enough money anyway <br />Adam did not believe this and they had another row <br />And in the early hours of the next morning <br />Adam secretly took out the boat <br />And sailed off on his own <br />After several miles, he dropped the anchor <br />Casting the net, then drew it in <br />When to his surprize, instead of fish <br />He found a fair maid within <br />Her hair was green, she had gills <br />Yet no fishes tail <br />But to Adam's disappointment <br />All the best bits were covered <br />With a thick seaweed veil <br />'I am a seawitch', quoth she <br />'And if you let me go <br />I will grant to you one wish <br />Provided you never speak of me' <br />Adam thought and answered, 'These things I want <br />Are not wishes, you understand <br />I want my own boat and crew <br />My own cottage, wife and family <br />And in time, grandchildren too <br />I want to be the best fisherman around <br />To provide for them'. <br />'All these things can be yours' <br />The seawitch replied <br />'If only you work hard enough <br />But now, come quickly, tell me <br />What it is you wish for' <br />I must get back to the water <br />I am already far too dry' <br />'Well then, I wish to get home safely <br />With a huge catch of fish <br />So my father will not scold me' <br />'These things I grant you and here's a pearl <br />Do not lose it and all you want, will come to you' <br />With that, she dived into the sea <br />Adam cast his net, one more time <br />It was so full, when he drew it up <br />He had difficulty getting it on board <br />He returned to his home and all did happen <br />Just as the seawitch had promised <br />Now grey- haired, sometimes <br />Adam sits in thought, rubbing that precious pearl <br />But when his family ask of what he's thinking <br />He smiles and replies, 'Just remembering'.<br /><br />Marilyn Shepperson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adam-went-fishing/
