1. BLACKWATER KAYAKING
Slicing upstream
through silent waters, into a mirror
world, dream world, water world,
liquid glass, gliding into two worlds,
real and unseen, seen and seems.
Leaves flit
across the water like butterflies.
Butterflies flutter above its surface
like leaves. Logs lie like lazy
alligators barring the way.
A snake slithers,
double headed, across the stream. Cypress
knees jut up and down toward the
mirrored sky. An ancient trunk projects
its mighty image deep into the water.
An alligator oozes
into the stream, tracking me.
Everything double,
mirror-imaged Rorschach,
peaceful, dreadful suspense
2. NIGHT SHADOWS
I walk into a dimming summer evening.
Swallows circle in flight; bats zig-zag
beneath a Magritte sky above
wood-frame houses, sharply silhouetted.
Curtains flutter in an upstairs window.
No one stands
behind them, watching, Streets silent,
save an air conditioner hissing,
sputtering flecks of scum at me. I try to
remember to pray to be spared or forgiven
whatever evil lurks in this dark summer night.
Well-written poems, Joanne. The first one reminds me of a recent trip to the Everglades. No, I wasn’t brave enough to kayak with alligators like you did! But we did see several from an air boat, tram, and even walking on a boardwalk and observing them below. The second poem creates a sinister atmosphere. Good writing.
Thanks, Susan! Don’t normally publish poetry, but I’ve got a lot of “old stuff” floating around. Clearing the house. Clearing out my life and putting a bit more of it online! I appreciate your comment!