The river, a dream drifting 
in slow, green sleep,
shifting silently
below the bugs and dragonflies
that race above its murky bed.
Rippling sheets lift
and settle in silver 
where sun lights 
to rest on dark water.
Gently moving
the river turns over,
a long nap in late afternoon,
while crickets keep empty time,
the pitch of their wings
like ticking clocks
tossed into space.


Klamath River, California
From ‘House of the Unexpected’ (Wild Ocean Press)