A late-summer moment is caught in close-up: on a stream, water striders move in quick, uneven bursts. The phrase “jerky strokes” makes their legs seem almost like pen or brush marks against the water’s surface. Around them, the stream keeps its own smooth, steady pace, so the insects’ sudden motion stands out all the more.
The speaker doesn’t explain the scene; the lines simply present it, letting the image carry the mood. There’s a sense of quiet attention, the kind that comes with sitting still and watching small things closely. Late summer adds a hint of an ending—warm days lingering but not hurried. The overall feeling is calm, slightly wistful, and very still, except for those small, skittering movements across the water.