Jewels

The weatherman's forecast is written in bold, sizzling red letters--HOT.
I'm thankful that the woods have grown dense.
Within, they are still and cool.

We glide quietly upon water.
Far beyond the sunny beaches and the boaters.
Past thickets of horsetails.
Until the vines grow everywhere and it looks as if we should stop.

It is there, in the stillness of a shady bank, they rest.
Ebony jewelwings--bright bodies below black.
Cool and lovely.

American Lotus

Horsetails along bank

Cowan Lake backwater

Ebony Jewelwing