Sink or Swim
Lichen Throat

The sun is warm in the valley,
But the peaks are capped with snow.
Every morning I tally
Another day in the calendar row.
All the snow in the mountains
Will melt in the coming weeks;
Rivulets will flow like fountains
And water will rise in the creeks.
I got a brand new kayak,
And I’ve been practicing rolls
I’m memorizing aerial photos
Of all the rocks and shoals.

I’ve been watching the gage
At the Taos Junction Bridge.
I track the rising stage
And watch the snow melt off the ridge.
As early spring turns late,
It’ll be high enough to run.
This summer’s going to be great
And I can’t wait to have fun.
I got a plastic helmet
And a yellow PFD.
Time to grab my paddle
And put away my skis.

I slide into the water
At the upstream end of the gorge.
I’d better move like an otter
Because this stream’s too deep to ford.
At the class V rapids,
I’ll finally test my skills,
See if my practice habits
Are good enough not to get me killed.
I got a nervous feeling,
And the path ahead looks grim.
If this boat flips over
Will I sink or swim?