A Ride Down the Thousand Islands Iii

A kayak floats on the glassy water through the maze that is the Thousand Islands. Water drips off the paddle as it rises in the clean air. A breeze pushes the kayak through the labyrinth of islands. No sign or sound of cars, buildings, or people. It is a part of Florida that is still green. Wild, the world as god meant it to be. A stingray races by the boat towards an unknown destination the kayak turns the corner of an island ever so slowly. Tree branches hover over the water forming a canopy low enough to stand and reach out, to pluck a reluctant leaf from its home. The crisp leaf crumbles as it is grasped. A sweet smell emanates from the trees replacing the smoky aroma of civilization. No factories, pesticides, or overpopulation Trees grow on their own giving off oxygen Birds gathering without fear of things they can’t understand Fish swim carefree no garbage floating in their way The kayak paddles on, past the floating island and its canopy. A juvenile little blue heron yells for its mate wading in the water three feet away. The oar is placed across the bow the kayak drifts on in silence. A brown behemoth emerges from the depths. The sea cow basks in the sun close enough to reach out a hand and rub across its slimy skin. Consider touching it, but hold back. Man already destroyed everything he touched. It is not for us to cause more damage.