A Paddle is Essential

There was a change today.

A change in schedule; a river

Now off course—

Spilling out over land,

Causing expected flooding.

Tears.

It’s always tears rupturing.

And the change splits

Roads.

Detours rise and novice

Rafts are built with sticks—

Twigs really. Pulled together with

Weak tree sap and twine that the river

Could easily dissolve and rip away;

Sinking me and the twigs to

The muddy bottom.

And a paddle is essential.

At least I have a paddle.