It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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Here’s a little poetry about our gorgeous afternoon in kayaks. Among many sights I mention in the poem, I saw a waterbird that was new to me, and I thought I’d share a link for this: anhinga .
exploring the salt marsh Lowcountry waters of South Carolina two at a time tandem kayaks double-headed oars in hand sun so bright temperature soft not yet filled with summer heat calm waters quiet current glistening sundust sprinkled across the tide we maneuvered slowly around small nesting islands of Broad Creek tiny islands that do not host humans only birds lizards fiddler crabs edges thick with mud and tough cord-grass clams blue crabs shrimp fish fish fish most of South Carolina’s seafood spends all or some of its life in salt marshes oyster beds surround lining pier posts lining sides of the creek lining boats on the water how essential this environment is oh, how the waterbirds charmed! heron gliding elegantly through the sky landing on the sludge of shore muted grey-blue Great Blue Heron snow white black-legged great egrets laughing gulls with bright orange beaks small seabirds indistinguishable and numerous and several silvery-black anhinga, with a flopping dives into the shore opening like hand-held fans as if camouflaging themselves as fallen weathered palms one lively dolphin surprising us dancing up from the water so close to our kayaks swiftly we paddled trying to follow the dolphin’s path she was much too quick for our oars such an extraordinary day to witness
What a beautiful way to capture your time on the kayaks in the marshes–in verse with an economy of words. It sounds like a peaceful and full day. The anhinga is a beauty.
Thank you, Denise! Poetry felt just right for describing our adventure.
Maureen,
You’ve set an exquisite scene w/ this poem, but I want photos! Did you take some? What a dreamy day! I want to follow a dolphin and kayak through the marshes.
I didn’t take my phone onto the kayak; I only have one photo of us in the kayak itself, as we started off (my sister-in-law took it). Thus, I tried to paint the picture with my poetry, hahaha. It was a beautiful afternoon. Thank you, Glenda!
What beautiful imagery! I am heading to South Carolina at the end of the month, and as if I wasn’t excited enough, your poetry has me counting down the days. You retelling of the experience, of the environment, is spot on!
Thank you! It is absolutely beautiful here, this week. Hope you are just as lucky!
Maureen, I spent 27 years in the Lowcountry, and my son still lives there. We will be inshore fishing the first weekend in April together, and your poem today brings all the feels of the salty marsh air and the gorgeous views. I can’t wait – and I’m so glad that you enjoyed your time there. You had a beautiful week for it, that’s for sure. No matter how many times you see it in your lifetime, it is ALWAYS a moment of joy when a dolphin comes up next to your kayak. It sounds like you are living the dream, friend!
Thanks, Kim! It has been an extra special week. My parents (both deceased) retired in this area, spending 25 beautiful years here. We came back for the nostalgia of earlier visits – and because we knew that there was so many beautiful places to explore.
Oh, Maureen, what an amazing poem and experience this must have been for you. I am completely captivated by the beautiful imagery and peaceful emotions here. Gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing such an amazing water journey!
Thank you, Barb! It was a really fun and fabulous kayaking excursion.
Thank you for taking me along on your paddle. Up here in the winter of NY, I miss kayaking and can’t wait for the waterways to accessible again. Your descriptions made it so easy for me to visualize and kayak along with you. On to see a dolphin so close…lovely.
Thank you! Oh my, that dolphin made the kayaking so very, very special – that is as close as I’ve ever been to one. Just beautiful!