5 May 2019

By Philip Kuepper

In fresh April air rowed
the Stonington crew,
a practice row up Mystic River,
their young bodies, by then,
flexed to the max,
their faces, gasps
of exhaustion   Easing up
on their oars, they slid
to rest, the river
cupping their shells
with liquid gracefulness.
They had intersected,
youths and river,
the river making them
fit to compete,
sweet effort shaping them
for a hopeful season ahead.

(24 April 2019)