Floating Illusions
(title in the pile of stories to be read)
The confession of it is
That I’m glad to be here
And for the moment, for today
Don’t have to be
Nowhere else (I play with
the negative)
Or elsewhere
Even if it’s Christmas every day
The good parts
I’ll stay in my mortal place
Where time rolls
And I think I’m on the stepping stones
C L Couch
Photo by John Spencer on Unsplash
clcouch123 
February 20, 2020 at 12:36 pm
Good analogy. Stepping stones lead somewhere, one bank to another and the world beyond. They exist without us having to engineer a bridge, and sometimes they don’t let you pass. They and the river have their reasons.
February 20, 2020 at 7:29 pm
Thanks! That the stones “and the river have their reasons”–well-said! I envision the stones as a way to deal with the force of the river, that is, safe places in the rush of time and the world. On the stones, we can go at our pace. But if the river rises or the stones simply stop, well, there goes that hope or plan. We really don’t control so much.
February 20, 2020 at 8:22 pm
When the river rises, trying to cross it is a bad idea, so there’s sense in it. But yes, the idea of being able to get away from things with the help of nature is a nice one.
February 20, 2020 at 12:55 pm
I love the interplay between your lines and the photo you chose. It’s not Mechanicsburg, but a canyon in the desert. Made me recall the Yakima Canyon in Washington state, where “floating the river” is a popular activity through the summer and you have to be careful not to step on rattlesnakes sunning along the banks. Do you stay by the water or venture out into the heights? Since it’s winter, you’re safe to do either.
February 20, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Thank you!
No, it’s not Mechanicsburg, though there is a good deal of water here and heights to climb. I enjoy the recall of the canyon in Washington; my father’s family lives along Puget Sound, though there is extended (and past) family throughout the state.
I like water more than heights!
February 20, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Lovely poem. I enjoyed your photo very much – such a tranquil scene.
February 20, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Thank you! It is a good photo, isn’t it? I found it looking for stepping stones.