The Fish Are Waiting

Tonight we stowed sleeping bags, marshmallows and deet.
Strawberry jam, Jiffy Pop and enough bacon to start a new pig.
Gasoline, lifejackets, paddles and an anchor that almost, but not quite, weighs as much as me.
Dog food, dog leash, pretty pink dog sweater, just because.
Mepps, dew worms and freshly strung poles.
Axe, pocket knife, compass, granola bars.
Cards, potato chips, high-test Coca-Cola. OK, and maybe some rum. Definitely some Bailey's for coffee.
And a book.
Tomorrow night we throw the boat on top of the Jibberty.
We hook up the trailer, and check the lights.
And run through the list, just one more time.
Thursday morning we wake up before the birds and migrate north, to Kiosk, to Algonquin, to the first trip of this new season, to fat lake trout and blackflies the size of rock bass.
To adventure and bliss.
But that is still two sleeps away.
There is still tonight.
And tonight a blue moon shines through the clouds, shines through the white pine, shines through my window.
It paints the face of my true love with soft light, and the face of my dreams with great expectations.