Fishing Before You Know How To Fish
Pescar antes de saber cómo pescar--por Courtney Martín
A través de los pinos y del arce la oigo.
No debería haber ido a pescar si no sabía pescar.
No debería haber ido a pescar si no sabía pescar.
ahí está ella
piernas imposiblemente largas
bañador holgado rosa y negro lunares
palo en sus manos
y un pequeño pez luna ovalado increíblemente en su anzuelo.
No se lo digo, pero creo
Oh, dulce niña, la vida siempre es así.
Pescar antes de saber pescar.
Irse antes de saber cómo irse.
Hablar antes de saber hablar.
Pelear antes de saber cómo pelear.
Amar antes de saber amar.
Morir antes de saber cómo morir.
Todos somos la niña con el palo
preocupándonos por a quién hemos lastimado.
Y todos somos los peces en el anzuelo,
esperando misericordia.
Su tía la escucha murmurando su oración
y aunque no ha desenganchado un pez en 30 años
agarra al inocente que se retuerce en sus manos
y desprende el metal de su mejilla.
Y esto, también, somos tod@s nosotr@s.
Salvad@s una y otra vez por la oración que no sabíamos que estábamos recitando
y un/a testigo que habíamos olvidado que estaba escuchando.
Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con la noción de que la vida a veces nos lleva a un lugar donde nuestra competencia es insuficiente? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de una vez que fuiste salvad@ por una oración que no sabías que estabas recitando y un/a testigo que olvidaste que estaba escuchando? ¿Qué te ayuda a inclinarte hacia lo desconocido cuando te enfrentas a una falta de competencia?
Courtney Martin es autora, oradora y madre. Escribió el poema de arriba para su hija, Megan.
Courtney Martin is an author, speaker and mom. She wrote the poem above for her daughter, Megan.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion that life sometimes brings us to a spot where our proficiency is insufficient? Can you share a personal story of a time you were saved by a prayer you didn't know you were saying and a witness you forgot was listening? What helps you lean into the unknown when faced with a lack of proficiency?
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16 Past Reflections
On Oct 25, 2024 Jennifer wrote :
Ah this poem really resonates with me. I was that aunt, when my little nephew caught a fish and was in floods of tears believing it was suffering. When we had unhooked and released the fish, and it swam away unharmed, he swore he'd never fish again. He remains a diehard animal lover to this day. And only catches animals with his camera lens. The metaphor to life is spot on. I have been the fish, the hook, the poll, the child, the aunt and the witness at one point or another. Loved this poem!!
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On Feb 1, 2023 Peter Thambidurai wrote :
Beautiful! Poem and illustration! Thank you.
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On Dec 8, 2022 nancy wrote :
I never assume I'm proficient but am often the best option available. Mostly I'm willing to be brave.
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On Dec 7, 2022 no wrote :
So many things in this world need to be learned. Yet the greatest act of all, opening our heart to those around us and realizing that in this is the world contained, needs not to be learned but to be remembered. For it is as close to our nature as the very act of breathing, only obscured by clouds of complexity. May we remember to love and find that we are masters at play!
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On Aug 20, 2022 Susan B. wrote :
Lovely, hopeful read! I totally feel and relate to this reading!
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On Aug 20, 2022 Winona wrote :
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Our company mainly engaged in a variety of 3C products, including bluetooth headset, Bluetooth audio, smart watch, smart lamp
car led lights
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On Aug 20, 2022 Asa wrote :
Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together.
I once again find myself personally spending a lot of
time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
press on nails
I once again find myself personally spending a lot of
time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
press on nails
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On Aug 16, 2022 Colombe Andree Anne Smith wrote :
Please come adopt me ! I am dying of Nazi vice in Williamstown ma with delusions to keep me going I don't believe! Colombe Smith nm ^4 years old foreigner with family in Europe who don't care and nothing to do
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On Aug 16, 2022 Gururaj wrote :
Just do it ( Nike , that phrase belongs to humanity ).
In retrospect we see - all that happens is for the good - however be the outcome .
In retrospect we see - all that happens is for the good - however be the outcome .
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On Aug 13, 2022 David Doane wrote :
Every situation is new and different to a small or large degree, so life constantly brings us to spots where our proficiency is insufficient to some degree. Life happens other than planned, before we are ready, and our challenge is to deal with life situations with the proficiency we have. If prayer is whatever saves me, including good fortune, then I was saved by prayer. However, I don't think I was saved by prayer as usually defined. I think I've been saved by good fortune and all existence interacting in a way favorable for me plus my limited but good judgment and choices. I believe a witness is a part of all that is and contributes to how a situation works out. What helps me lean into the unknown is knowing we live in the unknown and I will deal with the realities presented to me either well or not well, and chances are I will survive and gain more proficiency for dealing with the next spot.
1 reply: Kristin | Post Your Reply
On Aug 12, 2022 Jagdish P. Dave wrote :
There are two ways of learning and knowing. One way is reading, talking, and discussing and reflecting. The other way is knowing by doing, by experimenting and by experiencing. I use both ways. However
I know from my own expereince that real and deep learning happens by doing, by deeply reflecting with an unclouded and quiet mind.
When I learn with an open, clear and quiet mind I learn from myself and by myself. Such learning has helped me walk in the right direction and that helps me how to "fish", how to get what is really precious and how to enrich my inner life.
I have learnt from my expereinces the way how to relate to life.
Such learning requires an open and unbiassed mind. It reqires quiet and clear mind and an earnest desire to let go what binds me and blinds me.
Namaste!
Jagdish P Dave
I know from my own expereince that real and deep learning happens by doing, by deeply reflecting with an unclouded and quiet mind.
When I learn with an open, clear and quiet mind I learn from myself and by myself. Such learning has helped me walk in the right direction and that helps me how to "fish", how to get what is really precious and how to enrich my inner life.
I have learnt from my expereinces the way how to relate to life.
Such learning requires an open and unbiassed mind. It reqires quiet and clear mind and an earnest desire to let go what binds me and blinds me.
Namaste!
Jagdish P Dave
1 reply: Rebecca | Post Your Reply
On Aug 11, 2022 Naren wrote :
The clincher for me was the last line. ..and the witness we forgot was listening. " This one is loaded. When you approach something as sn observer rather than a participant, the notion of not knowing seems to back away with your observation. Then. The activity also appears like having been undertaken before. QBQ here is, is that why when one becomes conscious of an observer or of your own observation, the activity no longer is natural and stops being as effective.