Companions

Something that came to me canoeing in the marsh.

 

 

Lazily I slip along the mud bank, gliding with out a sound.
Low tide demands my interest to pass within the marsh.
Snakelike, I travel the path that time has set
I round each bend to wondrous creatures big and small.

Be it heron bird or turtle sunning on a stump, they greet me,
but only to a point – away they go! I have disturbed their day.
Forgiveness is assumed as they flee to a comfortable distance.
We gain equilibrium of trust, the creatures and me.

Neither wanting nor fearing, we enjoy our moment of faith.
Again, the tide demands my attention as I touch upon the bank.
I bid farewell to my companions and travel down the way.
The next turn is calling, new friendships to be found.

Time grows short, as the day passes and the surge is rushing in.
Freedom from the banks has her price - I see the marsh no more.
Only the Spartina reaches above the waves, bidding me time to go.
I row now, home with a smile, for soon I will see my companions again.

Author's Note

Painting "Boats on the Marsh" by Rebecca Holmberg (link: www.unc.edu/~holmberg/gallery.htm)

Reviews

[[untitled]]

Picturesque and poignant. As a fellow canoe enthusiast, this piece transported me from my desk to the beautiful springs and marshes that sit a few miles north of me. I enjoy how you weave the "friendship" theme between the inhabitants of the marsh and the subject of the poem.

"Forgiveness is assumed as they flee to a comfortable distance.
We gain equilibrium of trust, the creatures and me."

Beautiful and very well written, my friend.

I feel a need to dust off my oars! :)

[Carole]

First off, Michael....I love the painting you chose for the picture of your beautiful poem. Seemed to take that trip with you on your little boat with all of the wild life. It was a fun ride. Very descriptive. Enjoyed the ride. You were a wonderful tour guide! Smiles, Carole

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

Oh yes, the return back up river brings you back to those dear creatures then your own friends and family after that. I recently went kayaking and many of the scenes you describe are spot on to what I felt and saw along the way. Lovely write - serene and stunning. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Light,
Siddartha

[DRIVEN]

A beautiful descrpitive poem. You take the reader with you on your journey through the marsh.

[Rainbowco]

Lovely, Lovely, "traveling the path that time as set" I so enjoyed the trip.

[alternative_be]

This is so lovely! It is a long time ago since I last rowed a boat through undeep waters, but I am familiar with herons and turtles as inhabitants of 19th century Belgian army fortresses, now turned into parks or nature reserves ...
I like taking walks along the meandering paths that were created when the forts were dismissed for army purposes. Many people living in my home town go for walks in the old fortresses with their big ponds in the middle and inhabitants like herons and turtles are a very familiar sight their.
Though some turtles dare to take a bite of some heron's legs, I recognise the tranquility of such beautiful stretches of nature. Reading this made me feel at ease after a stressful day at work.
Needless to say you have captured the athmosphere very well, even to perfection!

[T]

Good morning Michael,

Such a beautiful peaceful poem! The imagery's you've created in your word painting is so serene and tranquil, I felt as though I was there ... Thanks for starting my day off with such a beautiful nature inspiring poem ... Have a great day ... hugs - Tiana

[Poeticpiers]

beautifully descriptive of place and mood excellently presented in poetic prose

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

A beautiful serne poem. Enjoyed the read very much. Thank you for the journey. Debileah