On The River Poem by Jim Yerman

Thoreau found solace in his pond…trees made Joyce Kilmer quiver
but yesterday I found our comfort…floating on the river.

We paddled and floated in our kayaks…you know…boats…the quiet kind
gladly leaving our computers and technology behind.

If we wanted to watch a video…all we had to do was look around
If we wanted to listen to music…we were inundated with sound.

We had a constantly changing video right before our eyes
we had the slowly moving water, the trees, the clouds…the sky.

We didn't need a remote…no need to switch the channel being shown
because nature is always changing the view…subtly…on her own.

It's like a panoramic 3D movie that is shifting all the time
It's beautiful..it's breathtaking…and it doesn't cost a dime.

And if it's music that you crave…stop and listen as you float
There is a rhythm to the waves as they brush against your boat.

Then music sung by countless birds from their nests in endless trees
finds its way into your heart as it drifts upon the breeze.

You drift along losing track of time…you flow without a care
feeling the coolness of the water…smelling the freshness of the air.

You instinctively stop paddling…as you drift around the bend
wishing this moment would last forever…hoping this feeling would never end.

and there upon the river…far far from the maddening crowds
reflected in the water…you find yourself floating through the clouds.

I understand what Thoreau meant about his pond and Mr. Kilmer about his tree
because yesterday…as if my magic… the river spoke to me.