Who is it

            Looking across the water

The fisherman searches for a set of concentric circles

            Showing him the fish

The boater gauges the choppiness

            Whether he’s in for a rough ride or not

The new skier enjoys smooth glass      

            It’s easier to maneuver behind the boat

The child jumps in delighted and unafraid

            Not caring about the temperature

The skin diver goes below the surface

            Enjoying the beauty and quiet

The bird takes advantage of the bugs 

            Hovering at dawn and dusk

The Vietnam veteran stares at the surface

            Remembering bamboo straws that allowed submerged enemies to breath

Written in response to Charli Mills September 30, 2021, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story uses the phrase, “across the water.” It can be any body of water distant or close. Who (or what) is crossing the water and why? Go where the prompt leads!