Feature Article November 6, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeOctober Swim Leaves rest on the water calm water like rippled glass the little beach deserted now the shore in shadow from the western sun Okay, deep breath - just brace, don't think run splashing in then plunge and swim... Breast stroke, breath stroke reach, pull, reach, pull total focus, mind and body - breathe, blow, breathe, blow The first shock past awareness broadens - cold and beauty flow around me sharp and fluid Ripples scout ahead of me bobbing bits of leaves on the surface. Inches from my facedroplets from my blowing breath spray the sun-flecked water Now the cold has formed a shell around me - a skin-tight natural wet suit. It almost crackles. Inside it my body pulses vigorous alive Opposite the lonely dock I turn, head back wrapped in cold and glorious Touch the sand walk ashore and stand - Thanking the water. Here on the beach I am warm. Inside my bare wet skin I am warm! Out there, a fish jumps her ripples spread and linger A loon calls, not just one - a laugh, then a wail then the laugh again A languid mosquito loiters on my hand Out past the point the last rays of golden sun touch the island where twin birches stretch silvery arms upwards into the russet remnants of their leafiness glowing against the green of the pines A few voices come through the still air, some hammering from a cottage down the shore, back on the road, a car passes. But for me only this perfection.
