River Ride in Moab

stiff as a branch

I awaken

perched on a rock overlooking moving waters

bats fly over me

I watch the river flow

‘you are as slow as the river’,

he tells me.

 

I watch the river

slow is good

I watch the slow moving river carrying me

I spot a leaf on the river

has it caught a ride

was it a willing participant

or did it fall in and learn

to let go

 

I imagine myself riding the river

on this clear dark night

with Venus twinkling

next to a silver moon

how perfect life is

how utterly beautiful

 

if I were this leaf swirling

on the Colorado river

how would I see from the center

would I describe my surroundings

what animals would I see on the shores

 

I sit

spread my body on the river

and float

 

there are red cliffs encircling me

ravens echoing

 

when I have not remained alert

whose journey have I missed

 

as I turn

a fish jumps to lick the moon.