October Swim

 October Swim

A warm sun
speaks of summer,
though Autumn
has surely arrived.
Pleasantly surprised
when the water whispers
in agreement,
 she plunges
all the way in.
As always,
the combination
of buoyancy and freedom
enlivens and invigorates.
Maple leaves catch her eye
as they float gently by –
timely reminders
of detaching,
    shifting,
        realigning
happening deep within
 and all around.
She allows herself to
savor the currents,
rejoice in the ripples,
appreciate the radiance
of change yet again.
The beauty of this October swim
has been held in her heart since then.
And so she writes to capture
such moments
of connection
in poetry –
which she boldly gathers
are, in essence,
her prayers.

Sarah Carlson
October 15, 2022