When I heard your muffled cry
above the sound of rushing water
and looked up to see you there
clinging to that bridge
amidst a dragging current
kayak mostly submerged
My heart stopped
and my instinct started
all in an instant
yet across an eternity
Numbed toes sprinting
as the cries continued
bending down
to reach you in time
Unwilling to let go
until recognizing arms of safety
pulling you out
from the frigid water
I will never forget
that look of terror and confusion
eyes that appeared to cry
but could produce no tears
Still in shock and disbelief
I tried to salvage the kayak
too heavy with water to pull back out
we forced it under the bridge
When it became stuck
all I could see
was you
if I hadn’t gotten there in time
Kayak eventually freed and retrieved
we thawed out
in the car
in silence
An hour later
in warm dry clothes
it was as if
we’d never ventured outside
We may try to forget
but, the river knows