Time

She makes me wait every time.

To her, the river of time is all deep pools 

Where the biggest fish sleep behind boulders left by glaciers still melting 

somewhere high above. 

Water is still and springs eternal.

For me, it’s all rapids and spray

Treacherous eddy and fatal wave

A twisted little leaf tossed by every ripple 

Knowing only turbulent surface

praying for the shore. 

It’s a wonder each time 

she scoops me up dries me off 

warms me in the palm of her still hand 

And

Seeing that I’m but a quivering leaf 

With a laugh and a quick blown kiss 

Sends me on my way 

back to the rapids 

Where I began

And yet I’m thankful

Every time