Down By the River

State and county parks have been closed in NJ since April 7th, and that was quite a blow to our family. Justin and John are avid fishermen and park users, and I often go along to hike, discover, and see what I can see. I understand the reasoning behind the governor's decision, but that doesn't mean it's not yet another loss due to the virus. 

But one thing they can't close is the Delaware River. Justin and I desperately needed to get out one night, so we went down to the river. It had rained for the previous 3-4 days, so we knew the river would be high and murky but it didn't even matter. Justin had a new bait caster reel and wanted to try it out, along with the custom lures he had created. He felt better just casting several hundred times, and I felt better watching him and listening to the river. 

The evening and its feeling reminded me of a poem I only vaguely remembered but looked up when we got home.

River Roads
Carl Sandburg

Let the crows go by hawking their caw and caw.
They have been swimming in midnights of coal mines somewhere.
Let 'em hawk their caw and caw.

Let the woodpecker drum and drum on a hickory stump.
He has been swimming in red and blue pools somewhere hundreds of years
And the blue has gone to his wings and the red has gone to his head.
Let his red head drum and drum.

Let the dark pools hold the birds in a looking-glass.
And if the pool wishes, let it shiver to the blur of many wings, old swimmers from old places.

Let the redwing streak a line of vermillion on the green wood lines.
And the mist along the river fix its purple in lines of a woman's shawl on lazy shoulders.

 I hope there is some nature and renewal ahead in your weekend.