swirling more slowly
in an inner tube
having just rippled below rapids where the river
widened into quieter water
I spun beneath alder trees
where damselflies were mating

males, attached behind each female’s thorax
faced other attached males
seeming to shadow box each other
females holding onto blades of river grass
elbows jutting out, threadlike forearms angled
in a sure grip, anchoring their mates 

wind high up the ravine
spilled down its path of paling leaves
lichens quivered on boulders
umbrella ferns twisted on their stems
ripples reached me
hair on my arms 
leaned in the direction
the breeze was flowing