by Donna Vorreyer

As we beached the boat
          as the cracking craft canted

a black bird shot into the frightened air

one cleaving water
          one cleaving sky

both threading intricate passage to safety

We paused and camped
          we paused and clicked our flint

to build a fire before foraging for food

we find a rabbit fairly captured
          we find his heart burst

his legs snared in a still vibrating line

our circumstances steadied
          each rock settled at hand to its hurler

we skip stones across the water as the spit turns

start like a thunderclap
          start like a shiver at the sound

of more stirring water and a coming storm