Bayou Thoughts

waves ripple the knees of hoary cypress dark waters encroach licked by an oily light spanish moss weave in and out of sifting shadows the flat bottomed boat carries my thoughts to a far bank where alligators bask and small white birds piggyback upon knuckled motionless hides if i go one way on this stream the skiff will dock near an amiable flock of other river boats if i go another way the maw of a listless fear may open to trap my mind i will leave behind the world of men and their dreams forever the swamp will devour my name the cypress trees gather my clothes keep them chained and dangling in their hollow hearts