I could never stay long enough on the shore; the tang of the untainted, fresh, and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought.
~Helen Keller

This time,
I don’t give the drain rack a second glance.
Someone else can stack the glasses and
Slide the cutting board back into its narrow cubby.
The plate with eggs baked on by the microwave
Can sit and soak.
I’m out the back door.
The shed smells of mildew from
The left-in-the-rain lifejackets;
Remembered and stowed in September.
And who took apart these paddles?
Just because it’s November doesn’t mean
I’m in for the season.
It’s worth it, these pesky preparations,
To skim along the still waters
And push away the lake fog
with the blunt, blue nose
Of my little kayak.
Let the bills wait.
Leave the cellphone on the kitchen counter.
There will be time enough to grade papers tomorrow.
Here is my peace.
Just me and the sky and this boat.
And sometimes the dog.

— Ilana Long —