Richard Brautigan

This morning we note the birth date of Richard Brautigan (January 30, 1935 – c. September 16, 1984), American novelist, poet, and short story writer.

A prolific writer, he wrote throughout his life and published ten novels, two collections of short stories, and four books of poetry.

He is best known for his novels Trout Fishing in America (1967), In Watermelon Sugar (1968), and The Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966 (1971).

Here is one of his poems for your consideration:

Your Catfish Friend

If I were to live my life
in catfish forms
in scaffolds of skin and whiskers
at the bottom of a pond
and you were to come by
one evening
when the moon was shining
down into my dark home
and stand there at the edge
of my affection
and think, "It's beautiful
here by this pond. I wish
somebody loved me,"
I'd love you and be your catfish
friend and drive such lonely
thoughts from your mind
and suddenly you would be
at peace,
and ask yourself, "I wonder
if there are any catfish
in this pond? It seems like
a perfect place for them."
--Richard Brautigan