Glenda Beall
THEREIN LIES THE DIFFERENCE
The Hiawassee River bubbles
and gurgles, slaps the rocks
sending sprays of diamonds
into the air. In your red canoe
you slide down mini-falls,
slip between boulders, using
your paddle to guide you.
I glide along in my john boat
with silent trolling motor over
a dark pond that mirrors clouds,
past willow oaks that line its banks.
You seek out challenge, dare
danger, test yourself
— and win.
I seek out the quiet coves.
Bio: Glenda Beall is a poet and writer, teacher and mentor, who enjoys expressing her feelings and thoughts by writing. Her chapbook, Now Might as Well be Then, published by Finishing Line Press in 2009, is still available on Amazon.com. She and her husband were different in many ways, but like two puzzle pieces, fit together to form a perfect picture. Without him her poems hold a more somber note, and life has not yet regained its ebullience.
Wild Goose Poetry Review 
So glad to find this poem here, Glenda! Well done.
Thank you, Karen, for your comment and for all your support.
Nice one, Glenda! The contrast is effective.
Thank you, Robert. Glad you liked this one.
Great use of imagery. Excellent contrast. love “sprays of diamonds/into the air. In your red canoe/
you slide down mini-falls” and “a dark pond that mirrors clouds.”
Helen, thank you so much for commenting here. I am always pleased to have your read my work.
Painting with words, just wonderful Glenda!
Staci, so happy to be in this issue of Wild Goose along with you and many other fine poets and writers. Thank you for your comment.
Beautiful imagery and fine use of nature to contrast personalities. I like this!
Hi Patricia,
I am glad you enjoyed my poem. Thank you for taking time to comment.
That splash of red canoe is like lipstick painted onto a black & white scene. Really striking. Loved this poem and the contrast it sets up. Beautiful language, Glenda. You’ve done it once again.
Hi Barbara,
Your comment makes me think of a black and white photo Barry made in which he enhanced the roof of one building with red. Thanks for your kind words.
Perfect title, Glenda. This poem glides as smoothly as the speed of your choice of boat.
Thank you, Maren, for reading my poem and for commenting. While I liked the poem, I never knew its value until I heard from readers.
Glenda, I love this poem. It is excellent. I am in love with the Hiawassee, River and last weekend I went there with my son and daughter to take pictures of them in their boots splashing in the river. Later back at the house, having just been immersed in the Hiawassee, I read Jeremy two poems: “The Long Man” by Glenda Barrett and “I Hear the River Call My Name” by Mary Ricketson. If I had this poem, I would have read it to him too. He will hear it one day for sure.
Thank you, Nancy, for including my poem with those of Glenda Barrett and Mary Ricketson, two favorites of mine.
You have captured the serenity and beauty – the remembered gift of your ride. A lovely poem, Glenda!
Joan, I appreciate your commenting here and am happy you liked this poem.
Glenda, I really love this poem! It is truly beautiful! Glenda Barrett
How nice to hear from you, Glenda. Thank you so much for those kind words.
As more evidence about that effective contrast: I’m right with you! Give me a quiet cove any day.
Thanks, Phebe. I have never been a dare devil, but my husband often pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. And when I did things like ride motorcycles with him, I found it was fun. Left to my own devices, however, I linger in the quiet coves.
A poem about GO Getters and GO With The Flow-ers. I love this poem as I find myself paddling between the two groups.
A good way to describe us, Melissa, Go Getters and The Go with the Flow-ers. In this stage of my life, I find I have to be more of a go-getter than I once was, but often I, too, paddle between the groups.