Foaming water, hard to see,
raft rocketing rapidly,
constant roaring on the air,
everything soaked, toe to hair,
paddles plunge and the bow shifts
slowly through the angry mists,
shoots past rocks, and eddies white,
the river drops out of sight,
stomach lurches, I feel tall,
plunge down a small waterfall,
splash hard in a swirling pool,
spun ’round as if on a spool,
hard strokes bring a quick escape,
into safer waters break,
boys are cheering, there is that,
it was their idea to raft.
rafting down river
beneath blue sky canopy --
songs of nature play
riding the rapids
tossed up and down to and fro --
summer crescendo
Life is like a whitewater rafting ride
With turbulence and crashing waves
Fear not of what lies ahead
'Cause God will guide your way
Don't be afraid to make mistakes
And swiftly move with currents strong
Life's chaos can be daunting
But, with Him, you'll get along
Rest in His calm, soothing peace
And thank Him for the ride
Trust Him to guide you through
As you go along for the ride!
New River waters skimming jagged rocks
Drenched rafters paddle madly
Are we having fun yet?
THIRD PLACE WINNER
written July 12, 2021
for "Bite Size No. 12" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Line Gauthier
FIRST PLACE WINNER
Brian Strand's Poetry Contest
July 17, 2021
Purple shadows drift beneath the gray sky forge
Mists dipping into verdant valleys like quicksilver
Skimming the rapids where we hurtle downriver
Through seething whitewater of New River gorge
Hurtling toward narrow waters of the Gauley
'Neath the bridge to form the Kanawha mighty.
THIRD PLACE WINNER
written May 22, 2021; reworked May 23, 2021
entered "Bite Size 2" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Line Gautier
Terrified me so!
My heart beat like a bass drum,
Screaming , "Go, go , go!"
Someone scrunched me in a jacket,
And headed me in fear.
I did my best to smile and hide
Tears of fear, fear, fear.
But I was with a jolly crew and we did quite well.
That fear-filled afternoon in Arizona
Later, relaxing and laughing in that raft.,
With cheers, cheers, cheers!
Sunday
7:30am PST
Today, I am a fighter
Stood on a rusty truck, challenged the breezes in pace
Sensations crawled passed over my skin, blared
Like the troops of sky collapsed upon my face
Steep step on the edge of ravine
Rotten plums beneath my feet
Narrow path led downwards to the valley
Split over the beauty between hamlets and heaven
Above the inflatable boat, I am the captain
Greenish view anesthetize
Still I struggle against the tide
You conquer the boredom just in time
I met those black butterflies
Flew within their complexion highlighted wings
Pink and green as it was depicted in a dream
Amazement is the secret weapon which you offer
You defeat the rage of our races
Again I need to climb upon my knees
Through the rocks which not stand appropriately
In this hum of stream I yearn it already
Summon me again when you ready to party
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