Kishwaukee River

Once
I swam the Kishwaukee
when the waters were high

young and arrogant

I saw that churning power

and let the current take me

gleeful I rode

I tossed and turned

reveling in its might

until I realized

I did not ride, but was ridden

taken by the tide

and then O' friends

the fear and panic

the splash and splutter

the thrash and flutter

all for nothing

caught, as I was

in the river's fluid restraint

but lo

a branch up ahead

and then did I swim

eclipsing exertions before or since

and as it passed I reached

and grasped

and held firm

as the torrents buffeted

I pulled and hauled

and after a time

collapsed, breathless, upon the earth

grateful for the Kishwaukee's deference

chastened for my hubris.

Alive.