conceits written about rivers
as lifesblood flowing over rocks
veins too cold – a sculptor’s fingers
gouge tears of clay from the world’s face
brother son sits on a boulder
plunges golden hands into melt-
water, sharp razor swift shallows
that slash both wrists with icy blades
while sister shadow raises skirts
to stream raw silver down the slopes
contrive to stand, stout walking boots
athwart banks where bears hook salmon
countryside clawed by vain attempts
to escape wild oceans’ clutches
rivers are long straws to suck rain
from clouds – imagine: each drop cries
