GRANT CLAUSER
Objects in Motion
Halfway to the island
in a Coleman canoe
we weave through stumps
and slick green lily fields
that part like clover
on the cedar lake.
My daughter sees a spider
coming down the gunwall,
screams and tries to stand.
Worried about tipping the boat
and the last hundred
yards to the bank,
I scold her to sit,
harsh and quick, knowing
now our trip is ruined
despite a grassy hike
and frogs we find
in the marsh.
On the way back
we paddle quickly,
break down camp
and pack.
Sassafras leaves
shade the trail
like hands over
the sun, and she
watches the lake
change color,
saying something
to the water
I can’t hear.
I love the idea of speaking to the water — only children know how to do that, don’t they?
Merely wanna admit that this is very helpful , Thanks for taking your time to write this.