Swamp Walk – Swallowed Whole

Threshing out old fears

Thread bare costumed old illusions

Shedding these clothes

My nakedness makes me giddy

 

Feeling the hands of like minded red thread souls

Past and future

While I hold the center of the present

At the edge of my heart.

 

Tea stained water takes my feet and the tip of my walking stick

I carry to ward off a possible attack.

Looking down before that first step

I see heaven looking back at me and realize I must be floating.

 

After the first step the water muddies

Hiding any vision of earth or heaven.

Discarded as a weapon

The stick becomes an extension of my toe as I feel my way

 

Rain becomes Holy Water

But apprehension still

Grips my breath.

And I begin to cry.

 

With each step onto the aged limestone pathway

Covered in the detritus of all that ever was

The dark water swallows more of me

Until it reaches my hips.

 

Pond Cypress create a shaded cathedral of vision, sound and touch

The graceful low pond apple trees echo gravity

And greens of all shades…algae, ferns, and broad leafed water plants

Swallow me whole.

 

As I attempt to hold my breath

 

My senses are caught off guard by the song of the Carolina Wren

Searching her out I catch a glimpse of the ghost orchid with 27 blooms!

 

The rain stops,

The frogs begin to sing

And just as suddenly

Stop.

 

An Anhinga breaks through the water and lights on a limb

Her wings outstretched

Warming in the dappled light

Before heading back into the dark to feed.

 

I walk on

Winding my way through the dark

Moving with the constant almost imperceptible

Heartbeat of current

 

Always with wonder turning

Into gratitude and back again

Swallowing, swallowing, swallowing

Whole!

~Rosemary C. Allen