i took them down to the water’s edge there i let them all go from my hands hidden in tiny walnut shell canoes i waved goodbye for the last time

the first one tipped and sank right away a fish heaved and swallowed another then the sky opened and pelted the third a fusillade of tears battered it under

why did i do it why did i let them go i am a dusty streambed i am a shipwreck

so while it continued to rain i jumped in and there they all were glittering silver with wings and fins living and breathing tiny river nymphs living happy and free

i had to do it i had to let them go i am a dusty streambed i am a shipwreck

bhagiti 7.3.07 toledo, oh