| r.kv.r.y. quarterly literary journal summer 2008 poetry by joe mockus |
A Life
The primary activity is avoiding
Obstacles– rotting logs, mostly
Rocks. Rowing backwards
Against the flow. Slowing
The raft while the water
Moves fast. Picking the right
Spot and letting go
When the water turns white.
Then
Near the end, finally pushing
Forward in the slack
Toward that beach
Where we all land
The primary activity is avoiding
Obstacles– rotting logs, mostly
Rocks. Rowing backwards
Against the flow. Slowing
The raft while the water
Moves fast. Picking the right
Spot and letting go
When the water turns white.
Then
Near the end, finally pushing
Forward in the slack
Toward that beach
Where we all land
