Original DDE™ art: “Waiting The Dawn” by: rob kistner © 12/26/25
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the porch gathers the last of the day
around the quieting lake
boats tick softly against their moorings
lake light loosening into evening
we clean our gear without hurry
letting success settle into our hands
rustling north woods birch ring the water
pale and still — excited by the breeze
their reflections broken by gentle wake
and above them — the sky opens
green threads drifting — unannounced
we speak of our coming home
quietly
the narrow channel from our last lake
water too shallow for speed
the depths demanding attention
ice age boulders / logs / and stumps
have shut many a fishing trip down
prematurely and sadly
shearing a prop mercilessly
care — and a damned sharp eye
in tangent with a free oar
is the magic of the day
respect the potage both ways
and it will grant you passage
today we made it
we stayed — we fished
boat breathed peaceful below us
but soon night was arriving
exactly on time
as we headed for home dock
as we gratefully approached
dusk was settling peacefully on the porch.
boats soon rocking — impatient
lake hushes itself around them
as we wipe rods — loosen reels
listening to the eerie calls of the loons
hands still warm with the day’s work
white birch line the far shore
stand quietly — listening
and above them —the sky
begins its slow green speech
magical aurora lifting again
like breath through leaves
talk about tomorrow—
reflecting once again
on the narrow way through
the shallow water
that won’t forgive haste
the careful portage ahead
not as worry, just remembering—
knowing
the night agrees to hold us
boats and plans
bobbing in the northern lights
canada settling in
while the cabin warms and sooths us
and waits
a wait quietly earned
rob kistner © 12/25/25