After the Flood

Rocks below, from above.

The water's path.

Powerful flow.

I am an earthling.
    Yes, I take the occasional cosmic journey, but I am no cosmonaut. It's the only planet I know, but Earth is where I'm spending this particular "wild and precious life" [Mary Oliver].
     And I'm never happier than when I get it all over me.
     Summer's nice, 'cause swimming and lolling about in the sand are two of my favourite things to do.

Sand formations.

     This summer, in particular, because there's a lot more sand since the flood. Those abundant spring rains swept a big layer of sedimentation into the valley bottom.
     If you follow the path of the flooding, you can see where the boulders were deposited, and then the rocks, gravel, trees, debris and detritus. And at the very end of it, washed out into the flattest part of the floodplain, sand has been spread. Gray and tan with a hint of blue and silver, the sand is fine, soft and deep; its classic formations add a lovely softness to the end of this summer.
     Of course, I take off my sandals and go barefoot. The sand is silty, still clay where it has lain damp and shadowed, silken where it has been exposed to sunlight and wind and the passing feet of other earthlings--elk, deer, dogs, and humans.

Sand in my shorts.

The geography of sand.

     Sand invites me to stop. Inevitably I lower myself into it. Often, it finds its way into my hair and down my shorts. Children who need sensory experiences to learn are the messiest and most rebellious ones I meet.

A beach by the Bow.

     That's me.

Fine, silty sand.

     Today the sand is hot on the surface, cool when I break through. Beside the Bow, I revel in this beach experience. Sand is the world up high, finely ground and at my fingertips. Some of you must go into the mountains; I love them at their most miniscule. Eventually we all end up like this: sanded right down to our composite materials and minerals. It's our life's work.

What the flood washed up.

Interesting piles of stuff.

Cooling off on a hot day.

Sand shadows.

Balsam root.