I had retired early
        to wake up four o'clock.
I fastened all my hooks
         and tuned into a fishing talk.
Asembled all my bait and
        jitterbugs by Arbogast
Tomorrow's the Fishing Derby - and
        I want to be the best.

I closed my eyes-but sleepless remained
I thought of the weather - what if it rained?

I'll need a raincoat, boots, and umbrella.
I tossed off the covers and sneaked to the cellar.

As I went downstairs
        I heard my dog's shrill

I gave him a hug
        But he would not quell

I saw that a barb had pierced his lip
I ran for my tackle box.
        My heart almost flipped.

I pulled out pliers
        and rushed back to Harb
with a gigantic effot
        I cut off the barb.

My best fishing rod was chewed up into shreds
I punished my dog and went to my bed.

The remains of my rods
        I taped to the wall
I picked up my tackle, and tossed the dog a ball.

On my way to the basement
        I heard a loud crash
Our kitty-cat Hodus
        just nocked down the trash.

I cleaned up the mess and went to the cellar.
I felt pretty tired and grabbed an umbrella,
        raincoat, and boots.
I heard footsteps upstairs and angrily hoots

My mother was, rumbling,
        yelling and grumbling:

"Get back to your bed, my fish-crazy son!"
I looked at the clock - three minutes to one.

I fell asleep and had no dream
I woke up late,
my friends came from the stream
        with the handsomest trout.
They won all the trophies.
                 I had no doubt.