1.
My first time at Luckey's Landing on my own was when I went Kayaking to get water samples for my e-coli tests. This was unsuccessful because I didn't use any of the samples, but it did give me great insight into the place that it is. It was not easy to kayak on. I am used to kayaking on rivers, not lakes. I had forgotten how hard it can be without a current to carry you along. It was also a pretty windy day. I got in and went over to the beginning of the residential area. I stopped at many places along the way. My first stop was along left side, where I saw a Great Blue Heron wading around in the lillie pads. I tried to sneak up on him, but my big orange kayak stuck out and he knew I was there before I even saw him. He took off and moved a little farther away from me, waited for a little bit, and then left.
I then came upon a part after the cattails that has many different trees and shrubs. Lots of red maples, white and red oaks, some hackberry. This is from what I could see from my kayak. I didn't get out and explore this little island area. The thing that was so great about this place is that it was so loud! There was tons of birds that made it their home. I don't know what kind. I couldn't really see them and I can't identify by call. I had a feeling that they knew I was there and they didn't like it. Their sounds went on the entire time I sat at the edge in my kayak.
I moved along and found myself in more places with cattails and lillie pads. The flowers were amazing. White and pink, big and beautiful, growing from bright green floating plants atop the brownish water. I made my way into this area and just sat for a bit, taking a break. The change that occurred in such a short time was astonishing. Going from tall trees to aquatic plants was mind boggling. There was no sound of birds telling me to get away. Just silence. I saw nothing but plants, no animal life, no humans.
I then made my way to the edge of the residential community. What a change. I was back into more tree cover along the banks. There were few lillie pads. It was a different place. Houses lined the shore. Boats were attached to docks. There was no one there though. No sign of life. No birds, no human, not so many plants. There were signs of life or course, but no one in sight. It was odd to be in an area that housed people, but not see a single soul.
On my way back, my kayak begin to flood. I had forgotten to close some valves that allow water out...and they also allow water in when you leave them open. I didn't pay attention to anything around me. I was so annoyed. I was soaked up to my waist. It was hard to paddle. The wind had picked up and it took so much time to get back to the dock that I thought I would never make it. Leah was waiting for me. She had left me tons of messages on my phone checking in on me because I got back so much later. It was a quite a different experience.
2. sycamore
white washed bark painted years ago
like fences left alone for centuries
trunks that reach high into the sky
taking space away from birds in flight
straight as an arrow your trunk rises
from sandy soils left by ancient lakes
made from the water of glaciers
perfect water frozen in form
covering the earth
carrying along bits and pieces
from places unknown and far away
a time that stood still
that is told from formations left
from cuts and holes and serration
shaping the land that we see today
glaciers that since have passed away
your leaves that cover up green grasses
and send me astray as they cover the paths
made from others that have walked your way
or deer that have gone through your woods
leaves so large they could hold a baby
or cover a mammal so small
the stories you tell
from your white washed shell
i wish i knew them all
3. great blue heron
your wing span reaches far above my head
you do not let me get close
you squack at me from a distance
grumy old heron
but i watch and i sneak
to try and get a closer peak
of your marvelous beauty
as you stand in the water
still as can be
among the lillie pads and reeds
4. duckweed
your speckles of green
covering the blue water
making it easy to see
where the wind has been
showing me the ways
in which the water has changed
even though i have not been there to see
moving in circles
moving in waves
you form banks of green
feeding the life
that lives under the blue
of the water that sits still as can be
small little speckles
of green
waiting upon the top of the lake
forming a chain
of being
so that we can see
where the lake has been
5. paddling on a lake
oh i do not like to paddle
on a lake
no, i like to take the easy way
along currents
so that i can see
what all there is that may be
awaiting upon the land
that surrounds the precious body of
water that i glide upon
oh how i love to lay upon a raft
or kayak
or tube
and float
above plants as they tickle
my sides
and i move
wherever she wants to take me
so that i can see every place that the wild
will hide
no i do not like to paddle
upon a lake
moving where the wind
will blow
i am not a fighter
and the wind puts up quite a fight
no, i like to go with the flow
6. I like to sit and think of what was once here. I like to imagine the lake much larger than it now appears. To feel the sand that is beneath my feet, even though I am far away from the shore. While walking in savannahs, that are new to this place. I find it hard to move along sandy soils. My footing slips and slides and i remember what once was upon this land that is filled with sand. Amazing to look around and see the changes. From water to tall grasses and sprouting trees. The woods that surrounds this area is full of life. It is full of trees. I once was walking down the lane. Between the lake and sea of tall grasses. And a deer was waiting right ahead, as if I were supposed to be following it along its own path. It stopped and looked to see what I would do. And I stopped and I stared back on too. I began moving again and it made its way into the woods. Sounds exploded from its footsteps. Leaves moving, limbs cracking as it jumped and hurdled its way through, away from me. I continued, but left the path as the deer had shown me. Wandered through the woods. Pieces of barbed wire stick from the ground, reminding me that this is not the wilderness. It has been touched by humans, and their remains stay in these woods. Becoming a part of the landscape, as chipmunks make it their home and hiding place, virginia creeper makes its way through every hole and opening, curling around the metal. I find mushrooms tucked away in dead trees. Different colors and smells. They make these dead logs a place of life and beauty. Living amongst the dead. I look down in order to find more. Ignoring what is ahead or above me. Just wondering what type of life lies along the ground that I walk upon. Walking carefully, so I do not hurt anything.
7.
I came looking for geese, but
they had already gone
even though it was sunny
temperatures were warm and inviting for
life in this place.
I had heard them leaving
they chanted together in flocks
landing in another place
I don't know where.
Maybe they knew I was coming
to find out if they were to blame
although all they were doing was living
I remember that this is lake.
A lake that these birds call home
every year as they make their way
north and south
east and west
they must stop here along the way.
But they will be back
There is still time a plenty
for them to return
before the seasons begin to change
they will show themselves again
as the leaves begin to change
and fall beings to set itself in
ready to bring on comfortable and expected change.
8. Lake Shore
The sun touches your bottom
reaching your muddy floor
providing an essential ingredient
in this potion of life.
Critters that one cannot see
living from the light of the sun
that reaches down and touches
the ground so that life can be.
Cattails form lines and rows
upon these shores
tall, long, lean and green
they invade and conquer
still providing life
preventing erosion
some want them to be eliminated
but I cannot picture this place
without cattails.
Macroinvertebrates inhabit this area
fascinating as can be
telling a story of the quality of life
that can live in this living body
of water that provides life for all
critters that twist and turn
making their way to adult hood
transforming from one thing to another.
And your bottom with muddy sediments
small stones have been deposited here
you have broken and tossed many others
in order to make it the way you wanted it
to appear.
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