Kayak

stability

near the banks

before climbing in

means your feet

against the mud

in the sand

in the shallows

mindful of sharp

slippery stones

eyes seeing steps

before steps a path

where there is none

in the moving water

stability resides in

shoulders and arms

pulling thrusting twisting

the paddle legs against

the hollow of the hull

the weight and shape

of the kayak and your body

behaving as one

fear always a

doubt about whether

you could separate

in the white rush

of the rapids the parts

of yourself to survive

and swim back to shore