bound away, the rolling river

walking out
by the banks of the river
in the mid-morning
the water quivering happily
in the sunlight you say
oh yes, the mighty Mississippi
and wish you could wet your toes
roll up your pants and raft
to new orleans

but how will you think
you know her
until, in the deep night
you come down to
hear her strange voice
behold her flexing
dark star-skeined skin
knowing each moment
you will never see it
again.