Found a backwater of years

Off the river's rapids

Some calm water

That lets you look up

Absorb the stars

Mirrored moonlight reflected on the surface

Leaving the depths undiscovered

Accepting the mystery of the unknown

Recalling the turmoil of the rocks -

Some submerged, hidden

Others rising straight up -

Announcing the damage to come.

Remembering when I hit one straight-on

Recalling the fracture -

And the time it took to heal.

Still able to feel the scar tissue.

Learned to keep the bow under control.

No blind lunges into the deep blue.

Eyes open searching for truth -

Able to hear the tone of lies.

Aware of the brevity of commitment -

Today may be all you get.

Tomorrow off to the new shiny object.

Caught all the thrills.

Stored them in memory banks.

Take a look at the awards

All of them worth the risk.

Juggle the oars in your hands.

Dip them in the water again.

Paddle, and paddle finally -

Push that effort along the river

All the way to the sea