Momentary Permanence
I paddle and I paddle,
each stroke offering reward.
A bass, thrashing
in a futile struggle to escape
the grasp of an eagle
that swiftly rises from a river
in a slow January crawl.
The graceful nature
of a sycamore’s white lines
against a blue March sky,
just as beautiful the full green
bloom of its leaves
in the coming months.
A dragonfly, the imperceptible
breeze of its lustrous wings
welcome in August heat
as it flits from a tree branch
to the bow of my kayak
to reeds that line the shore,
never still for long, until
it reaches the gray arm
of a tree rising from the river,
pausing to let me pass.
I drive and I drive,
each trip offering reward.
Children who greet me
with open arms, engage
in long talks of events
new and not-so-new,
as if they are one.
Conversations starting up
where they left off,
leaving off where they
are bound to start
once again. And again.
A granddaughter
who will read to me
the memorized tale
in her favorite book.
One who will walk with me,
a fast crawl more her speed
when last we were together.
Both milestones
in the passing years.
Places that never grow old,
never have when I was close
and never will,
even in my absence.
The sight of maple trees
when oak and hickory
have become my norm.
The blue of rivers,
waterfalls and lakes,
now that I’m surrounded
by muddy waters.
All of this welcome to me.
Permanent bonds, even
with their temporary nature,
like golden sycamore leaves
as they drift beside me, caught
in the swirl of my paddle,
as if to remind me
they will always be with me,
even if waiting inside graceful lines
against a blue November sky.
This poem is my response to earthweal weekly challenge: EVERYTHING IN THE FOREST IS THE FOREST.
rivrvlogr 
I been wondering lately what the view would be like from a kayak – your poem answered that question, taking me on a lovely tour from waterside.
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Thanks for coming along!
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Those landscapes (and waterscapes) are always with you, and the life contained therein. Emotionally resonant, as your words so often are. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. It’s in my blood.
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Stunning – shows the value in revisiting places, people (especially young ones maturing rapidly) – and of letting the beauty each time soak into memory. Putting it all into this poem is a gift – thank you!
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Thank you, Jazz. I think every aspect here is a part of me. All the more reason to visit and revisit each one.
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Such beautiful images – that white sycamore against the blue March sky………nature as seen from a boat is so amazing. A beautiful poem, full of glorious memorable moments.
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Thank you, Sherry.
Whether surrounded by a large body of water or on a narrow stream, it’s so easy to feel connected to nature.
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There’s a lovely blend here of kayaking and road travel, the intimacies of river and family blent in passage. The entire forest.
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Thank you for the prompt, Brendan, Perhaps, if everyone thought of nature as they should their fellow man, giving and receiving the respect that is due, things would not be so dire.
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I really felt your yearning for home in these lines, Ken. For me, too, there is one landscape to which I feel particularly connected, and since my return, I feel at one with nature once again.
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Thank you, Ingrid. I will see my landscape (and folks) in late August.
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“Permanent bonds, even
with their temporary nature”
Nicely done, kayak and travel and seasons and all.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Your poem seems to move with the pace of a magnificent river. I felt like I was there with you as the dragonfly flitted by. Beautiful.
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Thank you. Those can be magical moments.
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Wonderful piece, Ken. Thanks for taking us on the journey! 🙂
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Thanks for coming along, Susi.
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