What a week. I don’t know about you, but after the onslaught of news (mostly bad) the past few weeks, I have been looking for some places of solace. I have found some in poetry, of course, as I shared in last week’s post.
Finally, I spend Sunday afternoon on the river. Friends asked us to join them with their tubes and float for several hours. There is nothing that soothes my soul like having my feet in the current and being surrounded by sights and sounds of rushing water, rustling leaves, chirping birds and drifting clouds in a blue sky. If you, too, want to find a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, here is a how-to poem just for you.
How to Float Down a River
Choose a float-
paddle a sleek canoe or kayak
plop down in a tube plump with air
float on the lazy current.
Settle in–
lean your head back
let your feet dangle
trail your fingers through the water
Drift–
twirl and spin downstream
like clouds in the sky
ride the ripples through whitewater
Listen–
leaves whisper in the breeze
water gurgles over rocks
birds chirp and chatter in the trees
Watch–
turtles plunk into the water
dragonflies dance across your knees
a great blue heron glides past the trees
Breathe
Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Carol hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Carol’s Corner. She introduces poet Lynn Ungar. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.
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Kay, this is just such a lovely poem. And post. I think we can all live with joy, even when times are hard and the news is terrible. I have been inspired by the joy of kids and families living in very tough situations… Like you, I find water incredibly soothing. Thanks for letting us join you on your float down the river. The whole poem is beautiful, but this is my favorite part:
Drift–
twirl and spin downstream
like clouds in the sky
ride the ripples through whitewater
You captured that let-go feeling so well!
Thanks, Laura. I agree–we can find joy if we look for it–and finding joy doesn’t mean we ignore or overlook the hard things in life. Like you, I have been inspired by some of my students who found joy in the hardest of situations.
Kay, I read your post and commented but may not have hit send. Your poem makes the canoeing/kayaking sound so peaceful. The drifting and listening parts are the ones for me. You made it easy for letting me join you. Enjoy the week,
Thanks, Carol. It was such a peaceful afternoon.
Beautiful Kay, love your 5 key leading words, “Settle in–Drift–Listen–Watch–Breathe,” think I feel better already–thanks for the virtual ride, and I love your “dragonflies dance across your knees,” thanks!
Thanks, Michelle. Those dragonflies (or more accurately damselflies) were definitely dancing. It seemed to be mating season that afternoon. They brought a few laughs and comments.
A great moment to share! I especially like the second stanza — so relaxing.
Thanks, Tabatha!
Sounds so, so peaceful and relaxing – even reading it brings you right there! Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks, Donna. I hope rereading it will bring back the peace of that afternoon on days I’m not quite so relaxed.
I am a total water lover and your poem captures perfectly the peace I feel any time I am there. I need this right now! Thank you for this important reminder. And a friend gave me JOY for Christmas and I have never read it. I need to dig in really soon.
Thanks, Carol. I hope you enjoy JOY. I find it is the perfect book for the times we are in now.
Such a lovely description! I can imagine being there and how restorative it must have been.
Thanks, Ruth! It was restorative–especially being surrounded by so much green along with the water.
I recently vacationed in Mexico and enjoyed the peaceful escape from life’s stresses while bobbing along on a float. Your poem brought back the experience and memories perfectly.
The beaches in Mexico sound good, too. There is just something peaceful about floating along on the water wherever it is.
I love the “settle in” “drift” “listen” and “watch”, sounds like a perfect time, Kay.
Thanks, Linda. I’m ready to go float again!