We drove north to leave the strange emerging virus behind.
The six of us slipped into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
After we paddled across three of the thousand lakes, portaged the trails
and found our campsite. I was hot and sweaty and a good tired.
I set up my tent-home, laid out my sleeping bag and pillow.
In a secluded place, I stripped and dove into the cold lake,
so clear you could see the boulder landscape below,
and rose from the shimmering water.
Sitting side by side on our low folding chairs, I listened
to the haunting voices of the lake as a Loon called to its mate.
There was nothing here labeled the future.
The canoes lay on the beach, upside down for the night.
My heart let its shields down; my soul nodded and took a seat next to me.
Tomorrow we will paddle on and on.
By Nancy Watrous, long-time Sierra Club member
