Catch and Release

Catch and Release

you know that moment, setting off

                from shore, when your foot’s suspended

                and wet but the drop's not fallen

                yet.

or the way the water opens and no

                doubt for the bow of your old

                boat and closes again behind you

                like going through

                never was.

or gear and floats stowed, there’s only

                this: the drift and the ducks

                and: the gulls and the water lilies

                and: the old out-groaned toad showing

                only his golden  eyes.

or some place beneath the boat

                a shoal the trout, as though boas,

                grope open-mouthed, no stone

                as still as they or as you

                pass through.

or thin paddle dip, slip like a fist under

                the hen on her hay, sweet

                dry egg, she blinks and lets you

                pull and stop, the wait always

                sky, always

or this: flight, a quiet, please, suspend me,

                lift me here, life.