i.
we crossed the river
avoiding the worst of
the strainers and yet
you pinned us against
a boulder almost midstream
ii.
i leaned against the wave
hoping to avoid getting
pushed under
slowly we spun against the side
and emerged to shoot across a
bow wave
iii.
i turned to cheer you for
clearing this first hazard
only to see the oars drift past
and you were gone
iv.
we pulled into a sandbar
at the next eddy
to laugh and scout
the rapids below
v.
i walked back, wading on the
river's edge, a view downstream
showed me eternity, the river flowing
to the sea, and yet,
i could see my feet on the stones
of the riverbed