Her water is smooth and softly rippled
So clear I can see my toes several feet below the surface
Mountains line her edges for a 360 view of white cliffs
Blue sky is dotted with clouds above
I swim undisturbed, besides a growing community of fellow long distance swimmers
I swim freely, with no boundaries other than a line of buoys helping me find my way back to center
I hesitate to share this indulgent experience, not wanting the wildness to be disturbed
But simultaneously, I wish the whole world would know this bliss
Her presence is so profound
Even now, several hundred miles away, she is a powerful force in my life
I can close my eyes and feel like I’m floating
I feel cradled and held securely
Rooted to a place close to home
At the same time, my free spirit is fully fulfilled
I hope I don’t take her for granted
Believing that every trip home she will still be there
Her ripples and mountains as if I never left
The water just waiting for me to take a swim
The world can change fast
Knowing this, I hope for stewards of the land
That this place will continue to be protected
But I also steward my mind
I shall never let go of memories of dear Lake Minnewaska
The place close to home
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