Caught One

Carson Sandell

Dad shouted, “You gotta reel and tug!”
So, I did. And after minutes of battling
The phantom parading in the water
It surfaced and its glossy green scales
Shimmered like a spinning disco ball

I spent almost all of my childhood
Casting smiles at Dad
Hoping one would hook
And while I cradled the bass, I saw
He caught one and cast it back to me