Oh, to be in Kodiak, Now!

By Micah Lee McKinnis

Oh, to be in Kodiak
Now that June is here
And every boy in Kodiak
Should get out his fishing gear.
I see the river, it’s swiftly flowing
As I cast my line, my hook is glowing
I see a sea gull, sitting on a bough
In Kodiak, now!

And following June, comes forth July
Red salmon arrive, quickly flashing by
The water rushes, splashing on my boots
Roaring in my ears, my line drifts downstream
A dolly glides by on a very good route!
I see a dead fish and hear a gull scream
A tug on my line, a jerk to set the hook
I see it is a chinook!

My line grows so taut with me holding tight
Better hurry up ’cause fast leaves the light
He’s in the net, finally I have caught him
A trophy is landed as light becomes dim.

• This poem was modeled after “Home Thoughts from Abroad” by Robert Browning. Micah Lee McKinnis, 11, lives in Palmer. This poem was awarded an Honorable Mention in Poetry for Grades 4-6.