Up the Downstream River
Paddles hit the water
Resistance of the current
With every stroke
My arms numb
Behind me a torrential drop
No choice but to go up stream
I cannot drift away
Swirling vortexes gather strength
Me against the river and the river is winning
I'm its next endangered species species
Fatigue sets in like the fog rising off the gray swirls
Exhaustion
The water breaks around me
Suddenly I see I'm not alone
A dark face stares up at me
Followed by another, then more
Manatees, swimming next to me
One moves to back
Helping to push my boat
Two of us, endangered species
Swim upstream together
One above the water, one in it
They follow me up the hill
And join me on the other side
What started as a fight to survive
Has turned into something magical
Well worth the struggle
Paddling up the downstream
Learn more about this author, Zoe C.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
The best keep moving forward
And the weakest fall behind
Of this man has been forewarned
It has lasted all through time
So have
by prensycz
How long can you last?
How many burdens can you endure
before the pain will break your back
Life will ache like harden bones
but
Snow piles outside the windows bid me to enter their frozen realm.
Winter calls on those with heavy boots and strong hearts.
"Come
The days are sweet and luscious
The moments so soon pass on
No time to linger or ponder
The sun rises, then suddenly it's gone
Will
by Sid de Knees
Keep up young one!
I'm up for this so give ya best,
there's nothing you can say to me,
to make me think I shouldn't race,
View All Articles on:
Poetry: Endurance
Add your voice
Know something about Poetry: Endurance?
We want to hear your view.
Write now!
Featured Partner
Breakthrough has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse Breakthrough's featur...more
hide