she is the river
I float on infinite water
and wake with the smell
of her wildness in my hair

how many waters have I waded
rivers of my childhood
red, brazos, ouchita
their waters clear
their names liquid
sabine, elk, current
how many waters have I waded
rivers of my dreams
ganges, thames, nile
their waters dark
their names mystery
yukon, mekong, volga

drifting in the flow
she circumnavigates my forehead
and I spill my thoughts into her body
her strong sacred waters
mother of the seas
she is the river