These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Leaving the Pool

So much of life is lived between
the pools and rapids' stress.
We try to "keep our noses clean,"
preventing some great mess.

We bob and weave to keep the raft
afloat from the river's fists,
but constant looking fore and aft
can make us miss some twists.

We slalom left and chute the right
avoiding "grandma's bowl,"
that stirs the batter to our plight.
We hope to finish whole.

By guided help we find the pool
to anchor for a swim,
to rest awhile in blue so cool,
considering our trim.

Ten minutes time or fifteen max
our guide says, "Time to go."
We'd just stay there, and still relax.
We'd miss the river's show.

We leave the pool, and find our way.
The rapids keep us tense.
No going back nor "On belay,"
"Attack," our best defense.

White water roils, until it ends
into a current's peace.
Through life we struggle, 'til it wends
to lasting Life's release.

We would not choose to rapids shoot,
while pools make life our bliss,
but muscles grow through forces brute,
then rest times, that we kiss.

by Jay O’Toole
on August 31st, 2022