Love Poem: Snail Boating
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Written by: Carol Eastman

Snail Boating

Wading the Meramac River near Jesse James’ Cavern with my son…
I espied an adventurer who in stature was so very small to us.
Before me was a snail using a leaf like a catamaran to sail the squalls.
Now birds love to eat snails, and fish love them, too.
So I ask him if what he was doing was truly right for him to do? 
Wasn’t it so very dangerous for a small snail, I imparted to my friend?
But he just laughed, and continued to enjoy himself… as off he went again.

He said Life wasn’t made to last forever, he wanted to enjoy it while he can.
Life can throw you for a loop like the motorboats’ wave that just then came in.
It’s all in the adventure, and what you ultimately seek to do.
The fun is in the living, and the excitement of seeing your plans through.
Joy comes from the accomplishments and the stories that later you can tell.
True living comes from besting the elements in any way you can.
It also comes from helping others… and teaching them what you know.
It comes from riding the waters as the waves thrash and the mighty wind blows.
There’ll always be waves and dangers no matter where you’re at.
And I’d rather be here than where I once originally sat.

It started with a flood about to submerse my little twig…
So I climbed on the last leaf and took off just like this, right here, you see.
Then he gave a wave to someone behind me, from where I so solidly stood…
And eight little catamarans came zipping by my legs as quickly as they could.
He ask if I would be so kind as to walk and stir up a few more waves…
So I laughed as I walked around, watching how they were so happily engaged.