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
branching the stream
the rhythm of our paddles
lulling us to dream
while wearing
unshakeable smiles that can't
bear to be taken off
attracted toward an 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 quickness below
can sway our intent
swerving to claim a point
a shaded mirage hovers
climbable from the shallow
like an answer to a question
ascending 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 this position
is a privilege we
long to share
though the contest
remains to reach always
further and higher
perfection found
can hardly be shadowed
good wine is a poor measure
of our luncheon discourse
and the cool satisfaction
of unquenchable appetites
for adventure and conversation
trusting the carrots before us
may be haphazardly gathered
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
when approaching pillars
roil the gentle ripples into a torrent
the moment to turn back has ebbed
accepted forwardness of path
chosen to follow windings 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.