Floating Ashes

As I gazed out over the slow-flowing creek Suppressing the agony of losing my child Tears never fail to spill down my cheeks As I have repeated this ritual for a while Making these pilgrimages to this waterway While I stood on this same slick, muddy bank I enjoy observing the bluegill and catfish play Paying their respect. For that, I owe thanks An army swims back and forth in formation Alerting the water inhabitants as they often do Like synchronized swimmers without expression The fish will come if they think you have food It's been a year since I freed his charred remains All that is left of his countenance is this powder It’s hard to comprehend or for my mind to contain As I visit my only child's ashes in these waters