Tag Archives: river

the gulf between us

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2

May morning

The scent of river and green
fills the space in my mind
where once you were only
a memory of a dream.
Years and myths
of what we were
and will become
are written in the runes left
by crow and sycamore.
My heart wends its way
to the gulf between us.
The marsh and saw grass,
sweet in its dance with the wind,
chiming bells of lilies cascade
across the river bed
of green moss and milk weed,
tumbling together
in the singing water.

Gulls wheel overhead
calling your name
again and again and again.

(revised)

metaphor

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5

Is it too trite
to write that the river
is a metaphor
for our love?

And to use the old saying that
you never step into the same river twice?
Because it is

Just

Like

That.

Driving through the dark Ozarks night
following the hollows along the river,
a young couple in our headlights-
wet, walking hand in hand-
coming up from a midnight swim.

Suddenly, I am transported-
I am that girl-
shy, bold and holding your hand,
feeling your wet skin for the first time,
the rush of the river,
the rush of the new.

Then, I laugh, seeing myself
reflected in your laughing eyes
illuminated by the dashboard lights.
We drive towards home
splashing in the river.

worry stones

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6

004
rubbing the worry stones
until my bones wear
down to the contour of the river
stones rubbed smooth
set into the shore
filling in the bank
where the heron watches
and the beaver take
the young saplings
tender and pliant

I was once that green
and could bend like the willows
weeping at the edge of the water
their tears filling
the deep blue holes
where the old catfish hide

soap on the water

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1

Concentric rings 2

‘Go wash, little children!’
And grabbing the Ivory soap,
we would head for the river.
Stripping down to our underwear,
jumping from the old wooden dock
into the cold crystal water,
we scrubbed and splashed
until we were slick as eels.
Dunking our soapy heads,
we burst to the surface-
water nymphs at play.
Finally, climbing back up
to lie drying in the sun,
basking like old hound dogs,
until we heard her call-
‘Time for supper, little children!’
And pulling on shorts and t-shirts
we ran from the river,
glistening like catfish.

the gulf between us

Posted on by
3

the scent of river and green
fills the space in my mind
where once you were only
a memory of a dream
years and myths of what
we were and will become
are written in the runes
left by crow and sassafras trees
my heart wends its way to the gulf
between us the marsh and saw grass
sweet in its dance with the wind
chiming bells of lilies cascade
across the river bed
of green moss and milk weed
tumbling into laughter
gulls wheel overhead
calling your name
again and again and again

Metaphor

Posted on by
32

Is it too trite
To write
That the river
Is a
Metaphor
For our love?
And to use the old saying that
You never step into the same river twice?
Because it is
Just
Like
That.

Driving through the dark Ozarks night,
Following the hollows along the river,
A young couple in our headlights-
Wet, walking hand in hand-
Coming up from a midnight swim.
Suddenly, I am transported-
I am that girl-
Shy, bold and holding your hand,
Feeling your wet skin for the first time,
The rush of the river,
The rush of the newness.
Then, I laugh and see myself
Reflected in your laughing eyes
Illuminated by the dashboard lights.
We drive towards home,
Splashing in the river.