Brian Woods

A SMALL CHEER

The ocean breeze

felt good across

my sunburned face.

I felt a tug

on the fishing pole

but it was only there

for a moment. “The damn thing

stole my bait!” I yelled.

Captain Lou cracked open a beer

and tossed me a Coke. He came over

to assist me and to hook the worm.

After a few minutes

the pole suddenly

jerked out at almost

a 90-degree angle.

I reeled in a 32-inch bass

and earned a small cheer.

It was my birthday

and all my friends were here.

We all cracked open our Cokes

and headed back to the port and

before I knew it we were already there.