Daddy

I remember

waking early

to go fishing

with my daddy.

We'd put the poles

in the trunk and head out.

Daddy drove until 

he found an open bait shop.

He'd buy a styrofoam tub

of night crawlers,

fat pink worms.

I'd walk around 

on the worn wooden floor

looking at all the wares.

"Hey kid,"

he'd yell to me.

"Want some chips?"

And then he's toss me quarters 

to get a coke out of the machine.

He'd grab a six pack for himself 

and we'd head out again.

Drive around again until

Daddy found a likely spot

along the canal

and we'd toss in our lines.

We'd talk in the car,

but now while we were fishing

we'd both be quiet.  

Hoping to lure

the bigger fish.

And if we were lucky

fresh pan fried fish

would be the dinner menu.

Thanks for all those

good quiet times,

Daddy. I love all

the times we shared.

     I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day enjoying the quiet times with your own dad.