afloat

a day floating

with the river mist

paddling toward an everlasting

promise of life 

and death beckoning

to disappear us

under the surface


downstream is not

a path that

words could retrace

as the cursive courses

over rock ledges

log ridges and sand

shelves in meandering whims

 

every inlet incites

branches the stream

the rhythm of paddles

lulling us to dream

while wearing

unshakeable smiles 

that won't relax

  

attracted toward the overhang

where none ever 

thought to alight

we balance on that limb

all our everythings

as only nature can teach

the patience to hover without wings

 

neither gravity’s pull

nor a quickness below

can sway our intent

swerving to claim a point

a shaded mirage hovering

climbable from the shallow

like an answer to a question

 

ascent to a seat

upon the highest branch

is tantamount to survival

grasping a limb

above and slipping from

the cloudy confluence

to a clarity of perspective

 

holding a position

is a privilege we

long to share

though the contest

remains to reach always

further and higher

as perfection found

can hardly be shadowed

 

fine wine is a poor measure

of our luncheon discourse

and the cool satisfaction

of unquenched appetites

for adventure and conversation

trusting the carrots before us

may haphazardly gather

along picturesque paths

tempting as a mother’s nest

 

rest has repositioned horizons

as smooth legs of time descend in

clockwork fashion toward half past

yet not a touch beyond plumb

through a bridge's hips we flow

converging quicker

as approaching pillars

roil the gentle ripples into a torrent

the moment to turn back has ebbed

 

accepting forwardness of path

chosen to follow winds ahead

and grasp that reaching

a destination sooner serves neither

who both deserve the race

that swerves together into one

astounding possibility of a tie.