Catch and release

My grandfather took me fishing 

only a couple of times

I did not like the taste of fish 

but enjoyed the feel of the reel

the quick release game of coordination 

and the swish of nylon line

zipping over the water, its little lure plunking 

into the stillness of our quiet fishing spot

it was play to aim farther,  more precisely

never leaving the bait to dangle 

long enough to entice any stream-dwellers 

before pulling in the line as swiftly as I could

I got lucky once or twice but threw them back 

for being too small

I squealed not wanting to touch the poor fish

not wanting to see their gasping mouths

snagged by my hook

when I had only wanted to play