a scenic Princeton road
Sputtering morning hikes
calming after climbing over railing
through brush tributaries that follow paths
wind down as far as eyes can see
babbling points the way to the perfect spot
fish jumping
hearts pumping
as lines are thrown to lure
the fresh taste of things to come
cast iron heat anticipation
with a little oil
and sundrenched cornmeal
breading and baiting
patience and waiting
listen to the geese, bullfrogs
small birds and feel the breeze
quiet moments of things to come
watching fly fishing men in waders pass
dipping down into watery holes up to their knees
in and out of glory
their big fish stories
close behind are children with poles, wiggly worms on a hook
generation of teaching, and love move in steady current
eyes under a hat ping along distraction
a poets pen sketches more history than fish
her husband casting new words on falling landscape
dragon fly locomotion
inspiration found —
through meditation and silent laughter
by afternoon moods change from growing hunger
the smell of activity heats up across the road
a private club livens as tennis balls pop the minutes by
it’s time to move along, but tomorrow gives promise
to the sites down off Pretty Brook Road.
— Elizabeth Akin Stelling
Elizabeth Akin Stelling is a a wife, mother, chef, writer, activist, insomniac, and managing editor of Z-composition Magazine.
