I Wade Into the Prairie

I wade into my creek... I wade into the Prairie Crayfish scuttle about my feet I can feel its slippery algaed rocks slide perilously under my feet. The sun is high 90 degrees, even in shade in this stiffling July heat Not a creature is stirring anywhere above this rippling creek Not a bird, not a bug Only me and only me. The noonday sun turns its pools into lighter shades of bronze tinged with some copper Leached from its bed of slippery stones Copper mixed with mud. The water pulls at me... Pulls at me... Tries to pull me from my feet... But its wet coolness keeps its hold of me Coolness versus heat and I wade on... Although I know that somewhere Somewhere closer than I think in the deepest, darkest pools A snapping turtle or two lie waiting... Jaws of iron in this creek. I still wade on... (January 21, 2011 Wausau, Wisconsin) (c) Copyright 2011 by Christine A Kysely, All Rights Reserved