With tight gripping hands
and arms digging in deep
the water swirls and it sways,
Shoulder muscles are flexed
as the body writhes to and fro
the vessel glides on it's way

The eddies appear
with whirlpools at hand
while maneuvering through rapid stream,
Exit to the right
upon the approaching dam
check-in with the captain of the team

With water supply full
and bodies refueled
the rowing begins once again,
The river meanders
as logs form their jams
paddling for hours on end

The river gets blocked
as the current pulls in
at build-ups of logs and trees
Dragging the boat
through the mud and the marsh
circumventing obstacles and debris

With gear still secure
and oars clenched in hand
another cast-off is made
Mechanical rowing
resumes at high speed
close to the shore for some shade

The pace starts to slow
when night closes in
one last checkpoint for the day,
Unloading the gear
in mud laden banks
mosquitos welcome our stay

With minimal sleep
from uncomfortable terrain
the adventure continues at dawn
Aspirin and balm
to soothe the aches and the pains
mental faculties are almost all gone

The last stop is made
as the crowd sits and stares
up the ramp the canoe steers,
Instruction, food, rest
and back in the boat
then the crowd starts up with it's cheers

With life jackets on
and full steam ahead
the river pours into the bay
buoy after buoy
headwind to the point
and pounded by four foot waves

The temperature drops
as the storm changes course
a frantic race to the finish line,
Dark clouds all around
and ready to unleash
reaching the end just in time