Adam Went Fishing Poem by Marilyn Shepperson

Adam was just turned eighteen
A fisherman by trade
He went out with his father
Six days a week, in their tiny boat
Now Adam thought it was
High time he had his own boat
But his father disagreed and said
That there wasn't enough money anyway
Adam did not believe this and they had another row
And in the early hours of the next morning
Adam secretly took out the boat
And sailed off on his own
After several miles, he dropped the anchor
Casting the net, then drew it in
When to his surprize, instead of fish
He found a fair maid within
Her hair was green, she had gills
Yet no fishes tail
But to Adam's disappointment
All the best bits were covered
With a thick seaweed veil
'I am a seawitch', quoth she
'And if you let me go
I will grant to you one wish
Provided you never speak of me'
Adam thought and answered, 'These things I want
Are not wishes, you understand
I want my own boat and crew
My own cottage, wife and family
And in time, grandchildren too
I want to be the best fisherman around
To provide for them'.
'All these things can be yours'
The seawitch replied
'If only you work hard enough
But now, come quickly, tell me
What it is you wish for'
I must get back to the water
I am already far too dry'
'Well then, I wish to get home safely
With a huge catch of fish
So my father will not scold me'
'These things I grant you and here's a pearl
Do not lose it and all you want, will come to you'
With that, she dived into the sea
Adam cast his net, one more time
It was so full, when he drew it up
He had difficulty getting it on board
He returned to his home and all did happen
Just as the seawitch had promised
Now grey- haired, sometimes
Adam sits in thought, rubbing that precious pearl
But when his family ask of what he's thinking
He smiles and replies, 'Just remembering'.