2012 FisherPoets Gathering is coming!

The 15^th Annual FisherPoets Gathering in beautiful downtown Astoria, Oregon is right around the corner.  It kicks off at 6 PM Friday February 24 and goes until Sunday afternoon.   The FisherPoets Gathering is an Astoria tradition, bringing folks in  the commercial fishing industry together to share original poems, stories, songs, memoirs, essays and art in celebration of the work and its folks.  (http://www.clatsopcc.edu/community/fisherpoets-gathering).  Check out their Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/FisherPoets?sk=info).

This event has been on my radar for years.  Last year, I decided to finally make it happen but instead of just being a spectator, like a normal person would, I took the bull by the horns.  I performed.  My first act was at the  biggest venue,  live on the radio.  No pressure.  I walked up on stage and those lights blinded me and my mind went blank.  Completely blank, like a deer in headlights.  Good thing I wrote down what I was supposed to say.  “Hi, my name is Jen Pickett and I’m a commercial fisherman.”  Once I started reading my script, I eased into it a bit and it was smooth sailing after that.   I had a wonderful time and met some wonderful folks.  

I’m looking forward to this year's event and I’ve been working hard on some new stuff to read.  So if find yourself in the Astoria area the last week in February, stop on by!  See you in Astoria!

But, here is a sneaky peak, this one’s for you, Suzie!

To all the fish I’ve caught before
Jen Pickett

To all the fish I’ve caught before

For whom I’ve traveled way offshore

I searched far and near

I dedicate this beer

To all the fish I’ve caught before

To all the fish I’ve dressed

And baby I’ve dressed the best

For giving up their roe

I owe a lot I know

To all the fish I’ve caught before

The winds of chance are always blowing

And every time I try to stay

The winds of chance continue blowing

And they just carry me away

To all the fish I’ve snared in my reel

Who are now someone else’s meal

In my fish hold I did stow ‘em

I dedicate this poem

To all the fish I’ve caught before

To all the fish who’ve died for me

And kept me from bankruptcy

They live within my heart

And will always be a part

Off all the fish I’ve caught before

Those winds of chance are always blowing

And every time I try to stay

The winds of chance continue blowing

And they just carry me away

To all the fish I’ve caught before

For whom I’ve traveled way offshore

I searched far and near

I dedicate this beer

To all the fish I’ve caught before