With summer’s heat and humidity in full swing lately, we make our way to water—the cherished Delaware and Lackawaxen rivers, as well as other lakes and streams throughout the Upper Delaware River region. Such waters are a primary reason that many of us choose to live here or to visit the area. After spending some restorative hours along our rivers recently, I share this celebration of poetry and photos.

Reverie

River,

hugged by hills

and let to drop between valleys of rock-faced high-rises,

licks along the pebbled causeway

luring flies who light upon its rapid blackness,

tempting scaly residents to test their fate

against the fisherman’s forgiveness.

I’m draped along the edge admiring grasses

and water-sculpted stones I lift like

round-headed infants from moss-lined cradles.

Hawk that calls this home,

glides in silence over the darkening flow,

taking this moment to scan for opportunities,

gathering with the others for evening’s adventure.

Moon finds sky a welcome place to be

setting a track for beckoning welkin,

birthing its twin in mirror of river.

Sun is easing down

and turning off the river’s glow

as it sinks into the green, green pillows girding flow,

and sends the fisherman off to rest,

hinting to hawk of dark feasts,

opening a channel the heron chooses to wing its slow song through,

and forgives heaven its desire to clasp the moon,

whispering to me

to move along.