-by Denise Boivin-Iassogna
When you look for me where shall I be?
Find me upon the river at dawn.
I shall be there in the heron’s perch,
The eagle’s hilltop nest among the cliffs.
As I leave my troubles on the dock
I push off into the mist.
The fog dissipates as it swallows my form.
I vanish into the unknown.
The familiar course
Reveals herself new to me each time I embark
Upon these muddy waters.
I shall be one with the sun’s rays breaking over the horizon
This morning, every morning
They greet me as I glide upon the shimmering surface
Gazing back toward the future.
These eyes have seen many sunrises
The river my faithful companion.
The world has yet to awaken
Yet I am here.
I glance back to steer my path
Starboard and port
As I gaze forward into the past.
Heaven is my canvas as I paint the glossy surface below.
My strength, my honor, my courage
My pent-up existence
All left behind in my wake.
Find me in the breath of the river,
The whisper of the pines along her banks.
The egret, the deer, and the beaver
My companions as we witness
The geese in formation
Pointing us true north along this path.
I am one with my craft,
The water my passageway
Each stroke a measure towards salvation.
Gentle pools glide over the blades.
The symphonic beat of the oarlocks
Become the percussive accompaniment
To this operatic symphony
This melodic catch and release.
When you look for me where shall I be?
I will be in the perfection of the swing
The muscles which ache in the youth who fly by
In their strong determined strides.
I will be the chilled breath of the vapors on the Chattahoochee
Her muddy waters my haven.
I will be in the camaraderie of those who row my eight,
Those who have come before me,
And those who will follow.
I have returned here through turmoil and strife,
Yet these moments
Tranquil and serene,
Strength, sweat, power, force
All unite with determined elegance.
I close my eyes for just a moment
To feel of the run of the boat.
I glide toward tranquility
I have found my stride.
I am flying.
So many secrets
I have witnessed along this journey.
All my days here.
Morning, twilight, dusk
The rower’s paradise.
Tandem strokes
In unison.
When you look for me where shall I be?
Find me upon the river at twilight.
I shall be in the billowing clouds of her evening sky
Painting a kaleidoscope of colors.
Steadying the course.
This is my Solitude
My journey.
The river has welcomed me home.
Cameo Drive 