Riding The Waves

I just completed a 6 day kayaking expedition with a small group into 10,000 islands in SW Florida.  Even though I have done a lot of river kayaking, this was my first experience of having to carry all our food, water and equipment across open water in rough seas and windy conditions. we learned how to pack the kayaks: A for Access, B for Balance and C for Compression.   I hope these poems give you an idea what this trip was like.

Transcript

I just completed a 6 day kayaking expedition with a small group into 10,000 islands in SW Florida.  Even though I have done a lot of river kayaking, this was my first experience of having to carry all our food, water and equipment across open water in rough seas and windy conditions. we learned how to pack the kayaks: A for Access, B for balance and C for compression.   I hope these poems give you an idea what this trip was like.

Kayaking - The First Night

Time to sleep

approaching waves

get louder and louder

as the tide creeps up

As the tide recedes

The sounds become

a sweet water lullaby 

and my aching body

drifts into sleep

getting ready

for another day

Riding the waves

Day two- aching back

Aching back,

Cramping fingers

holding too tight

expanding pain

no thought of joy

Only hoping to get through

to stretch and rest.

There must be a better way.

Anthony shows me

coaching me

upright posture

straight arms

turning shoulders

feet to hips

rotating, twisting

motion is lotion.

Slowly things get better

movement becomes smoother

effort becomes less

my whole body

begins to share its power

The kayak understands now

we can glide together

in the pause 

between the strokes

There is no thought

still breath, still mind 

fully present 

in this gorgeous moment

of now.

Day Three

Into wind and waves

bright sunlight

splashing sparkling 

rhythmically slicing

through waves

ready to brace

when broadside hits

fear transmutes 

into exhilaration and confidence

that the kayak and I

are moving as one

toward our daily destination.

We change direction

the wind behind us

the waves lifting us up

the kayak and I start to ride

with a powerful push

 as the bow falls

the wave holds us

surfing now

carried effortlessly

toward the shoreline

Day Four - speed is your friend

Speed is your friend

into the wind and sparkling water

cutting through waves and swells

becoming one with the boat

the waves the water.

All is one,

the rhythm of the sea

losing fear, feeling confidence

being prepared, digging in

as the wave hits sideways 

again and again,

Speed is your friend

The Last Night

Another glorious sunset

far away from city lights

pure darkness descends

sparkling diamonds emerge

stars and planets

then the milky way

spirals across the sky.

Towards the north

a manmade flash of light

Artemis launched

A Bright flame drops

the booster separated

returns home.

We settle in again 

into the vast universe,

distant stars and planets

remind us 

to be grateful

for our beautiful planet 

supporting  life

in so many forms,

 in the oceans

on the land

and in the skies

above.

Coming Home

The last long day

completing our circle.

Everglades city

the beginning and end.

Leaving behind the sand, 

sand in my clothes

sand in my tent

five sandy nights

seventeen sandy meals.

How will I adjust

to clean sheets

on a soft mattress,

washing in fresh water

Food without sand?

I’ll bring a bucket of sand

to sprinkle on food

put into my shoes.

Maybe even in bed too.

©MartinStrasmore2026