As an oak paddle thrashes wildly in a lake,
spray and motion,
noise on the surface,
a fish dives six inches deeper,
surprised for the moment,
glad to escape a kingfisher.

A little current, a convection,
deeper than the ripple,
unimpressed by the wind.

An oak paddle, a belt, a mocking retort,
necessary tools
for staying dry.

Written by: Pat Conover, 1997