15 October 2023

By Philip Kuepper

From the first, their symmetry
was beautiful,
how they eased the shell
into the water,
how each one eased
himself into position,
gripping hold the oars,
easing out the shell
to mid-river.
Strong and supple of limb,
they appeared cut from the timber
of the same limber tree.
They shook off as one
what nervousness they felt.
And their blades struck as one
the water, like a maestro’s baton
the air.
To begin, that is what mattered.

(9 October 2023)