22 July 2018

To oar the depths,
to oar the matter of water,
to feel the matter of water
coat the blades,
for a moment give greater
heft to the blades,
heft felt
as it rises up the oars,
and grips hold the rowers’ hands,
this the realization
of each stroke executed.

I hold the matter of water
in the palm of my hand.
I touch its body
with the tip of my finger,
water, the stuff of life
through which we race
the shells of our bodies.

Philip Kuepper
(8 July 2018)