When six guides, three scientists, and fifteen youth come together on a Grand Canyon Youth trip, I find that humor, wisdom, and lyricism flow as freely as the river herself. This year, on a Partners in Science trip, I gathered advice from trip participants and wove their wisdom into a collective poem. 

 

The prompt was simple: “Give me a one-liner of advice.” Participants’ answers ranged from silly to salient, from “don’t pet a burning dog,” to “you should skip rocks because it’s fun.” The poem took shape over the course of a slow mosey of an afternoon, from Tuckup, where the answers were collected, to Fern Glen, where the finished product came to be. 

 

My hope is that the poem embodies the true magic of collective voice and lessons learned on the water from varied life stages. The italicized lines in the poem are words from each participant, with credits below. Read it with levity, love, and a youthful spirit.  

If I Could Give Advice to You

If I could give advice to you 

I’d tell you to breathe, be gentle, and 

               think it through 

and if I could give advice to you 

I’d first think up all the things I 

               thought I knew, 

and when I did I know it’d come 

               through that only the simplest 

               things were the ones most true 

 

I’d tell my friend when you’re anxious 

               you must know that the wisest 

               ones always go with the flow 

 

I’d tell you don’t sweat it when guano 

               happens, tomorrow isn’t promised, 

               so dig for the heavens 

 

And when you’re feeling disgruntled 

               remember everything has 

               balance—Friday is only good 

               because Mondays exist 

 

And when you’re feeling angry don’t 

               pet a burning dog

pick your battles and pause 

get up, start over 

even when sore keep moving 

disconnect to reconnect, let today be 

               your rest 

know that all anyone can do is their 

               best 

 

So stay open to change, be positive, 

               have fun, and know that there’s 

               time for everything under the sun 

 

I’d remind you that when you feel 

               lost, eddied out, disconnected 

we are of the earth as apples are of an 

               apple tree 

so dance, be silly, be a frog, just—be 

 

You should skip rocks because it’s fun 

and don’t wear shoes too often 

and remember my friend to listen 

               when wisdom comes a knockin’ 

an ole’ chap once said, “don’t throw 

               out your chickens before they’re dead” 

for life is a journey to bed

 

So don’t fear death, fear not living 

and always go listen to what the 

               canyon wrens are singing 

 

Go to guide school they harmonize, 

they whisper, then shout 

live life to the fullest there’s no reason 

               to pout 

 

For eddies are safe, but you’ll never get 

               down river sticking to the eddies 

and there will always be a time when 

               you don’t feel ready 

but just go for it 

and leap saying, “two to make it true,” 

for fear is only the unknown 

and you can always start anew 

 

And I think I’m nearing the end of my 

               advice to you, 

but while I have your attention 

don’t forget to play 

for really my dear river friends all we 

               have is today

 

 

 

Contributors:

Gabe- don’t wear shoes too often

Hazel- don’t throw out your chickens before they’re dead

Malerie- even when sore keep moving

Nina- fear is only the unknown

Jeremy (scientist)- pick your battles

Santo (guide)- go with the flow

Sarah (scientist)- guano happens

Leandro- be a frog

Ronan- you should skip rocks because it’s fun

Xander- don’t fear death, fear not living

Brisbine- don’t pet a burning dog

Demoze- tomorrow isn’t promised

Aiden- live life to the fullest

Graham- just go for it

Laryn – two to make it true

Jeremy (guide)- go to guide school

Amber (guide) – disconnect to reconnect, let today be your rest

Zach (scientist) – eddies are safe, but you’ll never get down river sticking to the eddies

Alex- stay open to change

Finn- have fun

James. (guide)- life is a journey to bed

Noah- dig to the heavens

Geoffrey (guide)- we are of the earth as apples are of an apple tree

Eliza- everything has balance Friday is only good because Monday exists

Delaney (guide)- don’t forget to play