Step Back Turn
The body’s grace is magnified on water.
To turn or pivot quickly yet with fluid
motion, keeping your dominion over
both board and waves, requires studied
and steely control of every muscle.
You put your best foot backward, retrograde
action paradoxically vital
to riding and controlling every wave.
Start with small steps that gain in confidence,
taming the elements. In time the bud unfurls,
your body in that moment keeps its balance,
and by such turns returns to meet the world.
This poem © Oliver Tearle 2022. From Infinity Pool (Newtnext Press).
Calenture 