I wrote a summer poem for this week’s Poetry Stretch, and I decided to also post a summer poem today for Poetry Friday.
Fishing on the Susquehanna in July
by Billy Collins
I have never been fishing on the Susquehanna
or on any river for that matter
to be perfectly honest.
Not in July or any month
have I had the pleasure–if it is a pleasure–
of fishing on the Susquehanna.
I am more likely to be found
in a quiet room like this one–
a painting of a woman on the wall,
a bowl of tangerines on the table–
trying to manufacture the sensation
of fishing on the Susquehanna.
Read the rest of the poem here.
I love what this poem says about manufacturing sensations! I often write things based on my experiences, but more often, I’m writing totally from imagination, from manufacture. If I didn’t need to earn any income, I would love to simply go experience more of the things and places I want to write about, but…not gonna happen. At this point, I’d just be happy for a quiet room! Also not gonna happen. Not in the summer, at any rate.
The Poetry Friday roundup is at A Wrung Sponge. Go enjoy!