I will stay at home
on the lake,
I will be content to be a fisherman –
make the same journey everyday
to the fishing grounds and cast my nets,
wait until they are full, haul them in
then row slowly back to shore.
I will fillet and clean my precious catch,
sell it to my customers
who come everyday to my stall –
all these things I call
staying at home.
Yes, I can see your misty peaks –
studied them for years –
you believe they will tempt me
but don’t be so sure.
If I did go adventuring
how could I earn my living? –
surely, life is all about
routine and being secure.
What would be the point in my attempting
to climb your dizzy heights
when there’s every chance of falling?
You hint of mysteries up there
waiting to be uncovered –
some of my neighbours set out to climb,
and have I seen them since? – never!
So why should I believe they may have found
some secret that’s worth telling –
and does it really matter?
The only thing I know for sure
is, first thing in the morning,
I must get up and take my boat
to set out for a good day’s fishing
and, yes, maybe I will still let my mind
continue wandering.