It started with the lake
and the spruce trees leaned
in for a better look.
My toes wandered
into the water,
which threw out
glacial-silt blue
and reflected a grey sky.
Toes exploring further,
ahead of myself so that
the snow-born water crept
up my legs and I was soon
on my back.
Mushrooms popped tops
of heads up through
moist dirt to peep.
My toes led the way,
becoming glacial themselves
as the Alaskan current
carried me out of the lake and to
the river.
I flowed.
Mist began to fall
and I became
a blue totem:
beaver knees,
eagle mound,
moose-antler breasts,
grizzly-bear hair.
My skin crystallized,
forming snowflake stars
over my fingers,
shins,
then finally
my middle.
Cracked.
As a close summer sun
came out
my blue star
skin melted
and I became the Kenai.
*As I was packing and preparing for my move, I found this little number that I had written my first time in Alaska. Revisiting it after 8 years, I can see quite a few revisions I would want to make, but I wanted to post it in its original. I’m wondering how my impressions and experience of Alaska this time around will compare with my memories.
Beautiful, makes me want to go there
How absolutely beautiful! Immediately from the beginning of your poem:”…and the spruce trees leaned in for a better look”…I knew I would like what followed and I was taken in for the swim! Lovely!
lovelovely
beautiful 🙂
I like it… It’s very poignant and fresh.
wow, I love that!
Thanks so much!
I love the emphasis on your toes in the poem. It helps me almost feel the water. Also, I love the name of your blog.
Thank you!
This is a beautiful poem, I would love to go to Alaska someday.
Love this! Great imagination and descriptions. Definitely submit to our magazine, like us on facebook to keep updated with dates, and we love when the author has their own photos to go along too!
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