fluent yet not swift
stilled surface
depth-charged movement
my soul seems to stagnate
seems to have lost the oxygen of inspiration

appearance is deceptive
for I will float you in your boat
allow you to skim over my surface
yet hide the toothy terror
under my duckweeded surface

I am never to be taken lightly
if you can take me at all

water snakes know me well


c. 2017 Roberta Compton Rainwater