Published in Overland Issue 227 Winter 2017 · Uncategorized Crossing Galata, Istanbul John Upton Flying fish on Galata Bridge, rods bowing and bobbing like suppliants at a vizier’s audience. Each fisher has his own space program, launch pad, elbow room, bait bucket, like this sleeve-tugging city. I’m for the fish, somehow. Down there there’s piscine stitching of continents: Europe – Asia, ferries and fish restaurants. Crossing their sunshine I pass between poles of then and now, a fish caught in a rip of time, the zip of bait, the howl of hook in mouth, it flips me onto this bridge and off, too scrappy a catch, victim of cheap jet fuel and wanderlust. Image: Fly fishing tackle box next to stream / Chesapeake Bay Program Read the rest of Overland 227 If you enjoyed this poem, buy the issue Or subscribe and receive four outstanding issues for a year John Upton John Upton was well known for his writing of poetry, plays and TV dramas. His poetry includes the collection Embracing the Razor (Puncher & Wattmann). He had five stage plays produced, and his prizes include the Australian Writers Guild’s award for Best New Play. He died in early 2017. More by John Upton › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 8 May 202611 May 2026 · Nakata Brophy Prize The 2026 Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers (Poetry) Editorial Team Please follow this link to enter the prize. Sponsored by Trinity College at the University of Melbourne and supporters, the Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers, established in 2014 […] 7 May 20267 May 2026 · Gaming Weaponised play: are loot boxes pokies for kids? Tom Gurn In the last decade, chance mechanics have been increasingly exploited by the video game industry to attract players, including very young ones. And while the federal government is clearly aware of the risks, it really isn’t clear what the right step forward is.
