Kay Wade
Ahh-chooo!
Chill rises with morning air to wipe a smooth surface across deeper recesses of Lake Jocassee. Sun has risen behind these steep, worn mountains, but here, where ancient river follows an ancient path, light is subdued. Then river bends around mountain, and rays of sunshine stream through trees, illuminating water dusted white with pollen from a forest full of oak trees. With each puff of breeze, every dangling catkin releases thousands of fine, dusty pollen grains, which hang invisibly in cool, dry air until some hapless boater comes along and inhales the suspended particles. Itchy eyes, watery nose, and sneezing commences. One wonders whether beings other than humans are affected by this unfortunate bounty of nature. ~K