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May of 2024 my younger son Sean turns 31. Sean has never been one to shrink from battle or hide in the corner and this is his fourth year making his living as a whitewater river guide with the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) at the Chattooga Outpost.
I tried to capture his essence.

Second born. Second son. Ever after younger one.
In the shadows? Not a chance. Challenges circumstance.
Child of mischief. Daring do. Little he won’t dare to do.

Elements, ancient times, of the four water’s sign.
Earth and wind, fire too, water’s flow what’s drawn to.
Gentle rivers are not draw, it’s white water he hears call!

It’s excitement he lives for. His base number is a four.
Threes are mild, though they’re fun, but his passion to fives runs.
Feats of daring, feats of skill earns his living ‘mongst the gilled.

It’s Chattooga plies his trade, equinoxes he purveys.
Early April, Halloween, with his paddle he’s serene.
Skill of Showman part of dance, leads half-dozen through mischance.

Roll of dice who’s in raft Eagle Scout telegraphed
“Be prepared!” Baden Powell. Boy Scout training serves him now.
Scared and trembling, cocky sirs, takes all comers whitewater.

Mighty rivers, four time zones, for his pleasure with mates known.
Colorado, Idaho to Wisconsin he does go
but his river’s Chattooga knows his sections like a glove.

There’s a flat rock where puts on show
as from raft he does go with his paddle like baton
spins in circles then jumps back on!

Deliverance, banjo song is the river he calls home
Nantahala outfitters he works for fun, but tip him too!
It’s fourth season as river guide hopes to do it till day he dies.

Second born. Second son. Ever after younger one.
In the shadows? Not a chance. Challenges circumstance.
Child of mischief. Daring do. Little he won’t dare to do.
Little he won’t dare to do.
Little he won’t dare to do.
 Little he won’t dare to do.
Little he won’t dare to do.

A song for my son’s birthday!