The River Of You

the San Gabriel behind you
still waters of your spine

who knows
how many ravines

lie upstream
what wild life

comes between us
what trees

have fallen
across the river

what moons
have struggled

to stay dry
how many times

leaping fish
startle the wind

which pair of crayfish
make love-bubbles

under a stone
we want it

do not speak
of what has been our curse