Kayak

It’s rhythmic.

One – two – one – two

one – and – two – and – one

and – two, plunge – pull,

plunge – pull, gliding, again

and again, moving forward,

a pause but to turn ourselves,

a brief respite or a new direction

calling us, then one – and – two – and

– one – and – two, matching,

now, the rhythms of life itself,

our own heartbeats balanced

with the Earth’s rhythms beating,

moving us onward, pacing ourselves

to face the smooth water of a morning

or the choppy waves of a blustery

afternoon, but always, a rhythm, one

– and – two – and – one – two – one

– two, plunge – pull, gliding now,

skimming the water’s tensioned edge,

a wake cut and rejoined in passing,

our souls in harmony with the Earth,

moving us towards eternity,

moving us together,

one heartbeat.