River

Driving along the embankment

My eyes catch a glimpse of what

My head had seen well in advance.

My heart does a little jump

With loving memory of the water,

Yet at the same time relief washes over me

Like the waves themselves in silence.

Closing eyes and feeling the motion,

Of the boat upon the water,

The smooth rhythm of the blades,

The sun upon my shoulders and knees.

Murmurs of voices from the riverside,

And cars beeping their horns,

As ignorant drivers break the pattern.

Cold day and race pace,

Legs screaming straight and back again,

Gasping breaths and groans of pain.

"Come on, we've almost caught them"

A hoarse throat calls from the back,

Conveying the passion.

Finish line and blackout.