BOAT RIDE

The speed boat smells of SEA & SKI, seaweed, and kelp

We sit strapped in child-sized orange life jackets

stiff with age and salt water

Wide-brimmed hats cockeyed on our heads

and a picnic basket at our feet

Dad pushes off wetting one shoe in the effort

One hard paddle and he’s cleared the rocks

Hush! Hold your breath, will the motor start?

The motor is let down

A key is turned…Vroom VROOM, it started!

Relief. We are off!

The bow hits the waves spanking our bottoms

We grip our hats and the side of the boat

Sea water spritzes our faces

Gulls chase and cry overhead

Snow covered Mt. Rainier appears

on cue to say “I’m here!” on this July day

Around the corner from Fox Island

in the Carr Inlet awaits “Dead Man’s Island”

We reach the shore of the uninhabited island

spilling out onto welcoming sand

picnic basket, shovels, and buckets in hand

ready to dig for clams.

Poems of the Point copyright 2022 by Lauri Cruver Cherian