Canoe Through Autumn

by Garry Gay and John Thompson

Published in Woodnotes #20, Spring 1994, page 6. Return to “Rengay: An Introduction” essay.

along the trail

wet matted oak leaves

morning drizzle Garry

in the horse trough water striders

riding the raindrop’s wake John

the paddles dip

into the greens and golds

of the lake’s reflection Garry

a distant horn blasts—

a woodpecker’s song

skips a beat John

below Black Mountain our canoe glides

through the tops of submerged trees Garry

scattered showers—

two pine needles tingling

with the same silver beads John