Today was the National Poetry Month Pen & Paddle organized by my fellow living poet, Tara Lynne Groth. We spent about five hours on the water and took four writing breaks. The poem below emerged during our second when I considered the today’s poem-a-day prompt.

For today’s prompt, write a “one time” poem. This poem could be about a once in a lifetime experience. Or it could be about something a person wants to try just one time (good or bad). Or take it where you will–as always.

Bucket List

Just one time before I die
I want to swim in the ocean.
I grew up a farm boy in Ohio,
corn as far as the eye can see,
and can’t imagine waves
all the way to the horizon.

Just one time before I die
I want to visit Scotland,
to walk the same paths
as the Ploughman Poet
and enjoy the hospitality
of the daughters of his muses.

Just one time before I die
I want to be married.
To share my life so intimately
that we cannot testify
against each other, a true
partner in crime.

But when I root through these memories,
like a pig searching for truffles,
I find that I’ve visited Burns’
Mausoleum in Dumfries twice
and recall two wedding rings
tarnishing in a box in my closet.

So all that’s left is for this Atlantic
riptide to carry me away.