Paddling the middle of a raging river
its white water threatens to swamp my boat
as I strong-arm my way
through life’s journey
On either side
the banks of creativity
full of beautiful scenery
await the pen or pastel
Bushes of words on one side
grasses of paint strokes on the other
cajole me,
encourage me,
beg me to stop
Sometimes
the choice is easy
as to which side
I’ll pull my boat
Sometimes
the pull from both sides
is demanding
Do I paint or write?
And sometimes
the river is so strong
with life’s issues
I can’t pull out of the current
Long arms of creativity
shadowy reflections across the water
reach with ghostlike fingers
to pull me from my boat
The call to create
is overpowering
If I don’t heed its plea
I will be devoured by the river
I’m torn to which side
to rest my boat on
but know, too, whichever choice
will be the right one.
