Fisherwoman (Dedicated to Zhuangzi)
Traveling here and there,
doing this and that,
few notice the fisherwoman
on stone, lichen-covered bridge;
straw hat, tattered cotton clothes,
can of bait dug from garden,
bamboo pole, and bucket.
Mirror, she likewise takes no notice;
our frantic ways spinning through.
When way of human ceases, you will
find she’s still there, fishing,
accepting the cyclicity of things.
In an end, as in new beginning
all is equal under Heaven.
Top image: Fisherwoman on Galata Bridge at Sunset
Lillian is today’s host at dVerse’ Open Link Night
2026 Anthology!
Call for poetry submissions:
In celebration of dVerse Poets Pub’s 15th anniversary in 2026,
we invite poets from around the globe to contribute to our upcoming anthology,
Krisis: Poetry at the Crossroads.
Submission period: April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Check it out here!
Tao Talk 
I love that last line, Lisa. Sometimes the simplest ways are the best!
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Thanks, Colleen. Indeed.
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There can be a constancy…..and many times we blihely do not see it.
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Thanks, Lillian. Or we take it for granted.
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You painted such a realistic picture, Lisa, and I love the way your poem turns on the ‘frantic ways spinning through’ to become gently philosophical.
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Kim thanks very much. Appreciate what you see there.
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You’re most welcome, Lisa.
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Acceptance is the key to a long and satisfying life. Your poem shows that very well.
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Dwight, thank you.
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very beautiful!
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<3 :)
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Your writing has taken me off already to Istanbul tonight, and is nibbling away at my curiosity about the dedication.
There is something here that is deeper than the river, and speaks of a more profound peace.
Blessings to you as you swim the ocean of others’ poetry tonight!
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Kathy, Zhuangzi is one of the important writers in philosophical daoism. His book, Zhuangzi (aka Chuang Tzu) is full of small parables. A few involve a fisherman on a bridge. The pic is one I found that best reflected the fisherwoman I had in mind, but she could live anywhere. Thank you, my friend <3
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This is so poignant, Lisa! I resonate with the idea of ” accepting the cyclicity of things.” ❤️❤️
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Sanaa, thanks much <3 It's a foundational belief of philosophical daoism.
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I liked picturing your description of her, Jae–here’s to her good catch.
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<3 Thanks, Jennifer.
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To just live without a need for “affirmation”–that is a gift. (K)
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<3
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This stanza really stopped me:
When way of human ceases, you willfind she’s still there, fishing,accepting the cyclicity of things.
Why is that so hard to do?
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Good question, Nolcha.
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Very nicely done! I love human caricatures and this one did not disappoint!!
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Violet, thank you for sharing what you see here <3
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She sounds patient like a heron that stands in the water patiently awaiting a meal for the day. Love the ending.
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Truedessa, I love your perspective!
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Every single person and part of life has purpose. I especially like the last two lines.
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Indeed, Melissa. Thanks <3
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Thanks for this Lisa – I’m going to check out ZhuangZi’s Basic Writing.
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Shaun, “Wandering on the Way,” as “translated” by Victor Mair, is an excellent way to read him.
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Ok great. Thanks!
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Beautiful thoughts Li
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Sadje, basically I’m paraphrasing Zhuangzi. Thank you, my friend.
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You’re very welcome my friend
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What a great word, ‘cyclicity’! I love both the tone and content of this, as well as the pictorial image.
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Rosemary, thank you so much for your kind words. The Ancient Chinese philosophers resonate so much more with me than other philosophers from other times. I love that image as well :)
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Hi Lisa, this is a wonderful poem. I really like it.
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Robbie, thanks very much <3
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My pleasure, Lisa
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Aww, how lovely!
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Chris, thanks <3
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I enjoyed, “accepting the cyclicity of things.” It has a nice sound and feeling to it.
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Maria, it is hard-won, the acceptance, and never fixed, as the term suggests. It’s totally the focus of the I Ching, among other belief systems. Thank you <3
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Oh I love the last line of this poem, Li! 💕
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Cindy thanks much <3
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I found this poem very calming–the thought of this fisherwoman simply fishing ignoring the bustle around her, through whatever happens.
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Thanks, Merril. She is the female version of the one in the Zhuang Zi
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You’re welcome, Li.
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Love this poem. It makes me think of the Madleen, the boat that Great Thunberg and her fellow activists, sailed to Gaza, as it was named after a Palestinian fisherwoman.
Love that last line: “all is equal under Heaven.”
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Sunra, reading your comment has me feeling synchronicity. This is to her and her crew <3
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If everyone chose the last line as personal credo we’d all be at peace, a beautiful thought.
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Lisa, I wanted to share this site with you. I thought you might be interested in this version of haiku: https://hokku.wordpress.com/2025/06/24/daoku-and-subjective-hokku/
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Thanks, Colleen. I just checked it out. Do you know David? Daoku is something that looks interesting to me for sure.
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In an end, as in new beginning
all is equal under Heaven.
Love that line!
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Thank you very much :)
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