Never
was
I fluent
but
like the ice
I covered
movement
from
the mountains fearful
till finally
wide and gentle
the grainy sand
her silent sea’s
edge
reached.
Rooster Rock
Columbia’s
only fame
from infancy
recalled
from atop
a treehouse
through the leaves
the river Hudson
in my youth
no shame
did see
before.
The bridge
the widest
hid the waves
beneath
bold Narragansett’s storms
sheltered
by mothers waiting
on the Charles
bereaved.
Sweating
cycling
above the Cooper
Ashley flowing
like a creek
Ancient stony steeples
staring
the Seine departing
still young and meek.
Cross the Rhine
Along the Spree
Forgot the Weser
Danube by day
Broad the Tagus
Thin the Thames
Never punted on the Cam
Bridged the Tiber
like the Yangtzee
Hamburg to Dresden
the Elbe scanned
All the rivers
flowed in reverse
to the question
who I am.