Crystal lake

Majestic mountains tower over crystal clear water,
Sky-scraping evergreens, border the rocky shore,
Their reflections blurred in the water.
My paddle slices through the lake, Silently, leaving only bubbles in my wake.
Minuscule droplets of silvery ice dot my hair, Giving me a veil of ice.
I let my hand graze the top of the cold, clear abyss

As my kayak drifts slowly along, I can no longer hear the sound of my friends' voices.
Now far away from reality, I am alone, Encased in fragile silence.
My arms throb from paddling for so long, My clothes are drenched and cold
but it feels good to push through the pain, I feel strong.
I am in awe of nature right now, It feels almost like this place was created just for me.
I look down into the water and see petite silverfish
Their compact bodies casting dark shadows,
As they dart avoiding the eagle's eye,
Along the lakes, rocky bottom

I can imagine how I look to them
My face distorted, and mostly hidden,
My life jacket so big it covers half my face,
They must think I’m a strange mutant bird.

I hear the abrupt splashing of paddles behind and smile
It makes all the difference, to be able to share This experience with the people who matter most to me
I shout “Betcha can’t catch me”
And join them in the cacophonous splashing of paddles,
That shatters the fragile silence.