Near Death Experience

Once, a bright day long ago,
I rode the Colorado in a single canoe,
Young, brave, foolish,
As you choose
Yet still I threw myself,
Down the fearsome river,

I was sure I would come through clean
The other side a hero
Of white water craft
At a zero of equal
For my small age
A daft thought

I was sure I could force
Through the safe path
Round the dips and swells
The could spell destruction
Of far greater riders than I
For my hubris

And as my level turned to the side
I realised I'd taken on
That which cares not as a sparing

Or caring being would fare better

The bounce one too far
A righteous eddy,
Tipping me over,
Dragging me under
As my lungs filled

With the muddy water

They say that your life
Flashes before your eyes when you die
Or come close as a throat slash
Inches from eternity

And it's true you know,
Like a film reel manned

By a squirrel on meth
It goes catching all
From mundane to sublime moments,
All of the time squashed into a second

And breathe.... The water gave way
I popped out a porcelain doll
A rag but for quivering fear
And gratitude,
To the river that spared my life

Author's Note

America, you have some beautiful rivers. And deadly too, but beautiful all the same.