i took them down to the water’s edge
there i let them all go from my hands
hidden in tiny walnut shell canoes
i waved goodbye for the last time
the first one tipped and sank right away
a fish heaved and swallowed another
then the sky opened and pelted the third
a fusillade of tears battered it under
why did i do it
why did i let them go
i am a dusty streambed
i am a shipwreck
so while it continued to rain i jumped in
and there they all were glittering silver
with wings and fins living and breathing
tiny river nymphs living happy and free
i had to do it
i had to let them go
i am a dusty streambed
i am a shipwreck
bhagiti 7.3.07 toledo, oh
