To the Editor,
Paddles Up
The water is calm in the bay
as we climb aboard one by one
Firm hands to wrists, gentle
shifting from dock to boat.
Paddles up
The team stills,
paddles at the ready
conversations pause
awaiting the command.
Take it away
We begin paddling. The boat glides
gaining momentum. And faster still.
Paddles reaching, pulling as one.
The boat throbs in time
with the paddles. A gasp,
a giggle, and murmured apology.
Someone was splashed with icy lake water.
Let it ride
Paddles come up out of the water,
quiet conversations drifting
as we rest letting the boat slow
Paddles up
Take it away.
Barbara Olstad,
Port Alberni
Editor’s note: Barbara Olstad is a new paddler on the Ladies of the Lake Dragon Boat Team, and was inspired by her experience to write a poem about it.