11 May 2017

I am paddling
with Thoreau,
the Merrimack,
through the text
he wrote about it.
He sought a center
where contentment dwelt,
perhaps because he was
so discontent an intellect.

I am thinking of the length of time
lasts a single bead of water
lit from within,
that is evaporated
by that very light,
the gift given and taken
in the same instant
that holds perfection.
Perhaps this is what he sought?

Philip Kuepper
(22 April 2017)