Page 30 - HEF Pen & Ink 2022

Lost between familiar rocks Knowing what must be done But not so willing to do it
The trout
White with some scales red Swimming in clear water
He is so elegant in his solitude
So solitary even in companionship
Every brush of a fin against the water thrilling Every sound of the world whispered
Secrets from looking upon the little trout
Heavy is the water upon me
For I am not this little white trout For I am not pure
For I have known humankind
Does he see me through those gaping eyes? Am I a disruption to his morning
Just as he is a distraction from mine?
Distraction
This fish is focused
I am focused on him
If I am focused on him, am I truly distracted?
The water cold
A creek quiet as a pond
I’ll never get there
Never reach it—as the little trout has
Cold and quiet I could not
I could never
Angular are his swimming patterns I see a bridge
And under it
I see him
A bridge far away
Yet he swims in my mind Underneath the bridge
Time to say goodbye
Time to face the other trout The ones on two feet
Can I see through his fins?
Just for a day?
Can I only for a moment—
Know what the little trout knows?
The Little Trout By Elinor Goehring
28
By Dylan Crane