Ebberman
For Penny Fuller's The A-Z of Unusual Words E Edition
Ebberman - one who fishes under bridges
I'm not a fisherman. I've never been fishing although there is something about the stillness and patience of it that attracts me, like metal detecting or searching for a small cowrie shell in a scattering of shale on the seashore.
I wouldn't want to eat what I catch; it is in the catching where the attraction lies, luring the fish in with what you have to offer and being chosen by that creature, who then shows itself to you in all its finery and shimmer and allows you to take it from its home for a short time to admire it, before replacing it where it belongs.
In the UK, there is a wonderful TV show called "Gone Fishing", which features two famous British comedians from my youth, the people from my most lively era. They are old men but funny and whilst it may not be the most exciting premise for a show, it is one that I never miss.
So, they go fishing and they chat and make each other laugh and like voyeurs, we TV viewers watch and share in their friendship, camaraderie and philosophising on the river bank and enjoy their successes when they catch a fish. Their reverence for what their rods retrieve is refreshing. It is my singular most favourite programme to watch and it never fails to relax me or make me smile. It's like a friendly hug.
I had no word for "e" that sprang to mind and so, I fished for one and this is what I found. I liked the sound of it and what it brought to mind and so, a poem was born.
*
I like to stand where eddies swirl,
And water falls in folds and curls.
Above me, stone with mossy coat,
Rough-hewn and dark, regards my float
Which bobs, alive, in rushing brook;
A feathered buoy designed to hook
An unsuspecting passer-by
With scales and gills: a fish to fry!
I am the waiting ebberman
Who, with my rod, descends to stand
To try my luck in nature's larder,
Stand firm as water gushes harder
Beneath the bridge, beneath this arch:
A troll in waders, still and stark.
A chancer, patient, erudite:
A hunter stalking for a bite.
*
Read about Penny's challenge here:
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Comments (14)
Never been fishing? Could have fooled me! Loved the tone of the poem, felt like I met a time worn ebberman in his natural setting! Enjoyed reading about your connection through a beloved show too!
My impatience would never let me go fishing or metal detecting or do anything that needs patience 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Loved your poem!
Amazing! A well done rhyme scheme and very visual. Makes me want to go bait a hook under a bridge
you soo amazing when it comes to writing, loved every piece
You’re so clever Rachel. And I’d never heard of this TV show either. Smashing.
I enjoyed the poem very much, Rachel, and the two fishing comedians are great, like two big kids.
Your poem is wonderful, Rachel. It feels as if you fished it from an earlier era to share with us. Your evocation of the brook is especially effective for both the flow of the water and the dark mossy stones. Really well done!
This is really good!
I like your poem! Not that difficult to understand the quiet allure of a day spent in nature, looking at a body of water. Having said that, I only tried fishing once. Couldn't get to terms with the need to hurt the worm in order to hurt the fish...
I always enjoyed fishing, though all I ever seemed to catch was a buzz! Well-wrought!
A rollicking good fishing poem!🤩 Never heard of your word, quite cute✅. Though I’m not a fisher-woman, I sure enjoy devouring it 💙.
Brilliant poem! I'm not a fishing fan, it feels like a cruelty to me, but it's a bit like smoking, it feels like we need some valid reason for standing still by the water, and fishing provides that for some.
What a delightful poem, Rachel. I've not heard of your relaxing, favorite show, but I've had ones like that myself over the years. I really enjoyed the whimsical, light-heartedness found in this poem.
I was an awkward angler as a much younger nerd, and miss it still. The poem and the tale about the comic lions in winter are both thoroughly charming!