I discovered this landlocked aluminum canoe laying dormant in the backyard on my recent trip to Pennsylvania. The bottom of its hull was covered in scratches from years of sliding over rocky river bottoms. You could still see them under the moss now covering its silvery surface.

Clearly it had led a busy, active life once. I found its current state rather sad, like it had curled up against the chain link fence to die. All it would take, I knew, was for someone to roll it over, drag it down to the riverside, and a fresh, watery Baptism would take care of the rest. Born again, it could carry passengers once more on to new adventures. I hope one day it will.