2 February 2016

I am thinking of the strand
of evolutionary DNA
that makes possible
the rower,
from the dug-out canoe
of indigenous American
tribes, to the sleek racing
shells of today.

In each pulling
on the oars,
by the ripped young arms
of rowers today,
is the pulling of the arms
of natives
who forged a path
for each of us
who has come after.

Philip Kuepper

Read about Philip Kuepper’s recently published book, A Sea To Row By – Poems, with 40 rowing poems, here.