The fisherman

The Fisherman
It was six in the evening and I was with my son sitting on the sand, just
watching the sea
Nothing was said
We need to share
Then it came this tough man with his bucket
He was a fisherman
A man with a bucket and a net
He entered the waters and got lost in his desire
Caught sardines and back to the shore
He did the same thing several times, but each one differently
When I was twelve I went fishing with three fishermen
I still remember that old net
The fishermen ‘s chocolate skin
Their kindness to allow me go
My fear but ,God, my joy!
I approached this tough man
He gave me a broad smile so I dare asked him to take my son with him
He said he had to go home
“Somebody waiting for me madam, I am sorry”
I insisted, cautiously
It was my son ‘s dream
He said he was not coming back but others would
I almost cried but understood
Magic was brought by a pelican nearby
He just swam to where the fisherman was and waved his wings
The man looked at me and, with tenderness, said: “I’ll do it”
I could not take my eyes away from the scene in front of me
my son at nine was fishing with a real fisherman

a man to whom fishing was his life and living
Lots of sardines like a plated hip where placed inside the bucket
My son asked him if he could throw one to the pelicans and another one just
returned it to the sea
“They are yours, it’s your catch son! “he said
“My name is Abraham”, he whispered
“Well sir, I really thank you “I remember saying
My hands praying
My body making a bow
“I just don t know how to ...”
I did not want to sound rude but still I wanted, I needed, to give him a cloud
Abraham held me in his eyes
I felt his story, I foretold his words
“Madam we were all children, once”
I extended my arm
We shook hands
We connected
We talked in silence
A secret was revealed
My eyes beard the fisherman’s burden
His, supported mine
God bless you Abraham, I thought
I turned to gaze at my son
He was happily paddling, searching for sea treasures
I swirled
Abraham was gone
© 2020 María Cabeza