On Reflection

An angry call
Wings flapping on water
“Listen Ducky, there’s enough water for the two of us”
Summer time
You can’t enter gracefully into this river
You jump, you fall
Or you slither
Like an eel

Poppa, at your age, you shouldn’t go swimming on your own!”
When I was very young, old people were always telling me stuff
“If I were you . . .”
‘But you’re not me’, I was too polite to respond
Now,  I guess I’m an oldie.
And young people are always telling me stuff

Floating, just floating
Such relief for lower back pain
Brief reflection, I’m coming back as an eel in my next life!”
But
Eels don’t ride E Bikes
Electric eel?


The flow of summertime cars
Friendly jostling for parking on that narrow grass strip
Squawking, happy kids
Half naked summertime bodies shiny-wet with water
Bits of forgotten clothing

Swirl of dark water
Small eddies –
Where do they come from?

White clouds, blue sky
Dancing in reflections

“Poppa, at your age, you shouldn’t go swimming on your own!”