Short Ohio River Poems

I passed over Monet this morning--an Ohio River-crossing;
the promise fulfilled with ante meridian mists,
trees, sun, and deep, moving waters
exploding in mute reflection
as leaves on the banks paid homage.

Sudden, brush-filled hands shot up from the depths--Excaliburs all--
staking their ancient claims to everlasting morning glory....

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lights flicker on the far side
as Kentucky folds its dark robes

a barge nudges
the river into dusk

bundles of clouds kindle

a shimmering pause

the river opens its body
to swallow the sun

knee deep in shadow
a heron yawps 

silver fish ripple through
shoaling branches

here on a crooked pier
spawning stars surface
from the milky eyes
of the recently drowned...

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The car ferry stops when the light fades.
Rabit Hatch is quite a hamlet now,
yet the few houses
still seem to slope down to the boat ramp.

At night I like to lean over a gate
watching those light-lit windows
reflecting the Ohio river
as it slides by,
it's massive shoulders
pushing it down to the Mississippi.

When I die, my ashes will be tossed
between Kentucky and Indiana.

I hope, just for a moment,
they will be lit-up by a streetlamp,
on some shore
not too far from here.
...

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