The Journey Inward

I took a long walk along the Delaware River this morning,
with an old and trusted friend.
The water was dirty with the churning from recent heavy rains,
the path was muddy in places,
with puddles stretched out across the span,
and the heavily laden bamboo stalks formed curtains before us.
At times, she and I experienced childlike joy,
holding hands and leaping over the pools,
or running through the car wash-like tendrils
and letting the dewy droplets cool our humidity-drenched skin.

Photo:  Frenchtown, NJ.  7.2.25 by LA