All Our Relations

Home at Last by Kim Pederson

walking, bracing for the errant twig on the worn path to the canoe
the assault of acrid scents of decay and brine shrimp colluded my inhale
stopping the natural action of breath
i mouth breathed pushing time forward and through
the unpleasant stench from entering my body
failing, no matter how i wanted it to be mild and easy
anticipating the movements and sounds of canoe in water
my stoic rowing partner showed her complaint in contorted facial expression
i growled and mumbled not expecting a response,
something she was not good at giving in any circumstance
stepping in rocking side to side
sitting as firmly one might imagine on canoe seat moved by wind and water
we rowed in silence
a silence i craved which settled my mind and opened my heart, uninterrupted splendor, otherwise seldom felt
the water was clear, rhythmic patterned,
my heart beating. synchronized in water wave time
i left my body and joined the air,
wave and the silence of the great salt lake
home at last

Note from the poet: I am a nutrient of silence. The water softens my heart mind.