God’s Kiss

Lake Quonnipaug, North Guilford

I have only an hour, but a persistent voice whispers, urging me beyond reason —
Calling me to the water.

Drawn by this longing, I drive to the lake and slide my kayak down the sandy bank into calm water.
Crouching down into the seat my whole being sighs…home once again in my kayak.

Senses fully alive, inhaling wet wind, absorbing colors, gazing through clear light
touching cool water, feeling the sun’s warm welcome on my face and bare arms,
Boundaries dissolve. I breathe in the lake.

There’s a stiff north wind. I change course and paddle through a narrow channel.
Radiant red vines rizzle down to the water.
Sun-lit autumn boughs hang over the banks
like soft curtains framing the scene.

Kayak slithers through dense vegetation in shallow waters.
Paddle finesses rocks and bank around a bend,
through a low portal that opens out onto a quiet cove
where a deep spring, the lake’s source is hidden.

Only a navigable thread winds through the channel choked by dense lily pads.
Fallen tree trunks lurk just under the surface.
In front of my bow soft splashes, then ripple rings announce the presence of life below.
I peer beneath the surface, but alas wild creatures know how to hide.

Lying on the lily pads are white feather fragments
not from seagulls.
I wonder…

The narrow channel unwinds.
I paddle ‘round a bend of tall reeds into yet another cove, hitherto unknown,
when suddenly I come upon a family of swan — cob, pen and speckled cygnet.

Startled, we all react.
They prepare to take flight. I fall back in silent respect.
Many minutes motionless we observe each other.
Slowly, frozen figures melt. Heads turn, necks bow.
Beaks nuzzle deep into feathers.

Cautiously my paddle resumes the most minimal movement.
As I drift closer, the swan turn in graceful acceptance.
Following their lead, I become the fourth swan.
Sun and wind on shimmering feathers, we begin a delicate dance
gliding around the cove in elegant ecstasy,

As I near the threshold of comfortable distance, the male shields the others.
Lifting his wings in warning, his exquisite form becomes translucent, bathed in golden light.
I gaze in grateful awe at this marvelous sight, knowing this is the gift that was calling to me –
Beauty, the eternal embrace, complete and everlasting in this fleeting intimate encounter.

Ann West, October 6, 2007