The Fish

After reading the assign lessons, it seemed to me the one poem that caught my attention the most, the one poem that I could relate too was "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop.

Bishop's description of the old "wise" fish, went a lot deeper than just describing an old fish that had fought for many years, fought off his death, fought off a man's trophy, and was finally won by Bishop.

You could nearly compare her writings with those of our elderly family. It seems almost impossible for a man to go a lifetime and never feel defeat. Sure there are those that may go longer distance than others, but one day a stronger man, a faster man, a smarter man will climb into life's ring and knock them off.

Bishop description of this fish is one that has broken lines several times before. In its prime, no fishing line would be able to capture it. Now the fish is has grown old, its mind still very active, yet its muscles not as strong and it finds itself landed for the first time.

Bishop was merciful in releasing the fish. She painted the picture to me of one that is admiring the wisdom of the fish. She respects the wisdom and therefore releases the fish.

Could Bishop be teaching us a lesson in life? How do we treat our elders? Those that once were un-beaten in talent, at the top of their game. Now all they have is memories that are rarely visited by the next generation. We should remember those, respect those that have paved the pathway in sports, fought and died for freedom, built the education system, and governed our country through the years with great wisdom. We need to honor those, spare them, and let them rest in peace instead of putting them in the frying pan.