The aim was to get across, unaided
But there are so few stones to stand upon
Keeping the shore in focus
My swimming is quite poor
Maybe I'll have to jump

Already on the other side waiting
Slightly upset at how long my little trek is taking
Tanya dislikes my mental debating
The steps are farther apart than I had anticipated
It seems like I won't get where I need to

As deep as the water feels
Indecision wraps around my mind
Even as I eliminate options, it steals
Plausible solutions as fast as I find them
Tanya spent a lot of time teaching me
She's not far ahead on the opposite bank
It's time to act

Left, reach out and then underfoot
The river didn't try to do anything
Three steps remain
I might have enough confidence to regain my footing
Sideways to keep my balance
Almost slipping, but still more dry than wet
I can feel some tension start to let out
The next stone is farthest,
But larger than any of the others
I picture a small leap to its middle,
Evenly distributing my center of gravity
Closing my eyes...

It happened so quickly
I barely felt the move
Tanya could only smile and approve of the result
On the ground, solid with grass and mud
I made it across by myself, in fact

[May 28, 1997]