power

of streams
i have no doubt
nor do i have the currency
to see or to sea

but rivers, these
are the shivers of snow
down rocky spine

and of rivers
i will tell you this:
salmon, salmon
spawn and sigh
death and flowing
raindrops dropping
side to side
between the width of wise
and wide of tooth
oh fish and calamity
this is the truth.

of lake, i say nothing
and note the ponds
nameless and mad for want
of depth

i see the glassy dawn
reflected twice, against
the surrounding mountains hence
my addiction of breath
and the song of chicadees
before coffee

oh yes, all of that is right
and just

but of river
i say - just us
and slay the current
with rudderless laughter

the morning is here
the morning is passed

hail the river
to the sea.