A Lazy Vermont Stream

Heavy full raindrops fall from their miserly clouds reluctant to lose their numbers, plopping into the lazy river as it twists, turns and undulates on its slow steady winding path through the dark green forest. The river sounds like a violin. The raindrops conger keys tinkled on a piano. The water is icy cold even now in August. A bath is shockingly cold and refreshing if it does not stop the heart. This is not an occasion to linger and relax but rather to hustle quickly.

Silvery fish and forest green frogs frolic in the slow current. Turtles drop in occasionally for a dip, sliding down from moss-covered sedimentary rocks pitched towards the stream, like vessels from a boat launch. Leaves not wanting to miss the fun release themselves from their trees parachuting down, swirling and gliding to land gently on the watery ride, cruising over the pristine white marble that forms the river bed in this land of Vermont marble quarries.

          The ride is slowing now as the water pools up and hesitates before building the courage to leap headlong crashing and smashing splitting and splashing over the precipitous outcropping and into the misty abyss.

Jim

June 2020