Hour One – Write a poem about being in water. It can be about swimming, the shower, a bath, the rain, etc.

 

The Poet’s River

And so, it starts. After being poised, quivering
in nervous anticipation, shivering.
Prompt on the hour, the claxon sounds.
As one, we pinch noses, dive in, from separate grounds.

Safe. Knowing as I do, I’ll be underwater with you
for the next 24 hours. The day (and night), only ours,
to gently swim together, or race.
To frolic, glide, discover – at our own pace.

We will cast our nets and catch the words
attached to everything everywhere like seaweed.
We will string them together into verse,
which we will wonder over later as we read.

I will remain fresh, calm, joyous and still.
And when I flag, for flag and flail I will,

You will nudge me. Not judge me. Or let me bail out.
I’ll waken from exhaustion as I hear your shout.

As will I, for you, my brethren, my tribe so dear.
I’ll say bravo as often as you want to hear.
And together we’ll string the pearls of words into verse.
And send them out bravely, into the universe.

Once the day is done, then the night, then the day again, bright,
we will start swimming up towards the light.
Reach up. Break water. Gasp at the shock of the glare.
Shake off the droplets of exhaustion. Breathe in air.

Carrying with us for one whole year
the exhilaration of swimming in the poet’s river.