First (rough) draft of a poem. Other drafts may follow, although I often let a poem sit for months/years before returning to it.
The Return
In the rising heat of summer,
the lowering sun to your back,
you follow the black river
that runs two strands:
a chimera shimmers ahead—
the asphalt mirage you follow
east—the other returns behind you
to the headwaters in the west,
where I stand expecting
the ephemeral shift
of mayflies lifting in waves
above waves of the river
to consummate a two year
delay in a single day
and are spent.
I cast about and wait
for a return of what follows
the river. The patience
of a mayfly.
Scott
have you read the short story “Return to the Lake” by EB White .. I think you would love it.. I think it is one of the best short stories ever written
Rod, I like EB’s work, but do not remember ever reading that one. It was very nice! I loved the crescendoing nicieties of his return, climaxing with that foreshadowing storm, then the excellent gobsmacking conclusion with the “icy garment” and “chill of death.” The man knew his stuff! Thank you for sharing.
Correction
title of EB White”s short Story is “Once More to the Lake”