This article originally appeared in Rapid magazine.
Who works and plays on the river
Lives to see it froth and foam,
Its surface all shine and shiver
Who calls whitewater home?
The river-in-her-veins, sunshine-or-rain whitewater raft guide
Who has hands like a vice
With fingers clever and strong,
Who is ready to pay the price
If ever he does something wrong?
The brawny, tawny whitewater raft guide
Who can spot an effortless route
With just a sidelong glance,
Through a narrow, rocky chute
Where most wouldn’t stand a chance?
The hawk-eyed, sharp-spied whitewater raft guide
Who cares not for the almighty buck
And knows she will never be wealthy,
Who would trade money for wisdom and luck
The privilege to live free and healthy?
The salt-of-the-earth, knows-her-worth whitewater raft guide
Who is confident and knowing
And comfortable with a crowd,
Who looks to where he’s going
And speaks his commands loud?
The witty and wise, clear and concise whitewater raft guide
Who stares down waves 12 feet high
And guides right through their surge,
When all of the crew is safe and dry
Who is last to emerge?
The high-flying, death-defying whitewater raft guide
Who lives in that mythical place
Where legends are born and truth is vague,
Who wears a smile always ‘pon her face
And breeds envy like the plague?
The rule-breaking, epic-in-the-making whitewater raft guide
Who thinks he’s got it grand
Though he’ll never be rich?
That bugger the rest of us brand “A lucky son-of-a-bitch!”
The paper shack, never-look-back whitewater raft guide
Who has always a cozy home
A place to put down roots
When her feet can no longer roam
Who will just kick off her boots?
NOT the ne’er-do-well, crazy-as-hell whitewater raft guide!
This article originally appeared in Rapid, Summer/Fall 2010. Download our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it here.
