Locale June 24, 2018

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Ramapo Valley June 21, 2018

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stream of consciousness

1.

Gliding smoothly along the quiet stream

Moving almost effortlessly through nature

The sound of the paddle dipping in and out

Propels the two of us into the marsh.

On a day with scarcely a zephyr breeze

The expanse of the bay surface smooths out

Shimmering under the summer solstice sun

As we seek the shade of trees at the shore.

I am in the front seat of a canoe drinking in the view

Going down memory lane with my son now grown

Traveling with the tide to take in the panorama

Going to our favorite place when he was a boy.

The conversation is good but mostly we keep silent

Being immersed in the moment among the tall phragmites

Taking the time to enjoy being with each other

Leaving any troubles of the world waiting in town.

2.

Later I post photos and a video to savor the scene

And share with Rosie on her Brooklyn apartment screen

Where her excursions these days are virtual trips

Taking me in turn to other places with her stories.

Here are her directions to her favorite kayak trip:

“From Buffalo over the Peace Bridge to Fort Erie, Canada.

Right turn on River Road which leads to the Canadian Falls.

Before the Falls, a left turn at Frenchman’s Creek.

“Blow up the kayak.  Paddle…

Revel in the varied scenery, breathe the greens, blooms, water.

Glorious.  The end: Queen Elizabeth Highway.

Creek continued but we could not.”

She remembers a happy time with the one she calls Big Daddy

“We took the kayak on vacations and had adventures.

Moved to NYC in 1965.  Left kayak.”

But the experience stayed with her to be enjoyed her whole life.

3.

I am stretching my legs standing behind my chair

One of the few men among many women here waiting

For the senior center exercise class to begin

When a seated woman behind me catches my eye.

She is smiling and happy to be here even though

She cannot keep up with the standing routines

And I talk with her brightened by her animated response

Thinking of how positive she stays like our dear Rosie.

I would like to retrace that Canadian kayak trip one day

Seeing for myself how Frenchman’s Creek looks now

Thinking of Rosie and Milt in the flower of their youth

Taking a respite paddling there from the witch hunt of the 50’s.

Now that Rosie’s advanced age makes living more day to day

I gather these precious memories and keep them close

As something to have and to hold as long as I live

That others may know, too, if they chance to read this.

Piermont Marsh June 17, 2018

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