I Can See the Silver Fishes.

In ancient times in Ireland, the salmon was said to be the "Salmon of wisdom." I remember watching a fisherman playing a salmon on the River Roe near Limavady in Northern Ireland. As the name suggests, the River Roe is a deep red, as it tumbles from the blanket bog high in the mountains. The silver of the salmon was a shock as it leapt from the Roe, tethered to the rod-tip.

A curragh is a type of boat made from bent branches and canvas or hide.

I Can See the Silver Fishes.

I can see the silver fishes
Swimming in the sapphire sea
And I shall reach below the waves
To claim one silver fish for me.

And from the shore the task looked simple,
But from the boat the cause looked lost.
Each time I reached below the waves
The curragh buckled, tempest tossed.

They said that in the evening lands,
Strong men spread their glimmering nets
And reach below those western waves
And silver haul when evening sets.

And so I ran before the wind
Into the ocean's foaming maw
And there I reached below the waves
But arcing lights were all I caught.

So, heartbroke, to the shore I rowed
Where in the surf a woman called.
"If you would reach below the waves,
First know which silver fish you seek."

And many's the tide that rose and fell
While her riddle I pursued.
What did I seek below the waves?
What to gain or what to lose?

Then in the darkest hour of night,
Then in the highest of spring tides,
I found in my hands below the waves
The hand of my love, who stood behind.

I have seen the silver fishes
Swimming in the sapphire sea
And as I reached below the waves
There my heart's true love claimed me.