river ride

as I go down
the river of my destiny
I don't want to be
in a boat.
I don't want to stay dry,
and above
or try to remain upright.
I want to fall
in the water
headfirst, naked,
fully immersed
hanging on to a life buoy of humour.

counting the occasional
bump
part of the ride.

surrendering to fury currents...
such abandon
slackens my body
reshaping me,
I know I will arrive
changed

changed and
in some peaceful, sunlit eddy
long enough to gather
once again
forces of wildness and kindness
for the next bend of my journey.

to feel the warm
and cold
torrential
and tranquil.

I am drenched
I am liquid


Beth McCarthy Marks
1992