I tried to catch the sunlight
I wanted to hold it 
I yearned to feel it
I needed to feed it to my soul
to stave a hunger that lingered

My fingers would freeze as cold water flowed
over jagged rocks in the river when I tried to scoop
and sip just a drop to satisfy my thirst

My blanket, all rough fibers and course fringe,
did little to chase away the chill even as I pulled
it tighter around my bony frame

But those late winter days held promise
even as they curated darkness

I tried to catch the sunlight
I wanted to hold it 
I yearned to feel it
I needed to feed it to my soul
to stave a hunger that lingered

My stomach rumbled as I followed the fish
downstream, beyond the bend to the place
where small pools shimmered

My boots made sucking sounds in the muddy banks
as I forged ahead, willing my empty bucket to magically
fill as I finished this daily ritual

And as I counted, one, two, three, four, five, I smiled
before releasing…five, four, three

I watched sunlight dance over rainbow scales

photo: mine
prompts: Go Dog Go Cafe – Promote Yourself Monday and Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge
                The Sunday Whirl 470, #52wp W01