This poem first appeared in Flora/Fauna an internationally curated book of eco-poetry and photography, edited by Pete Taylor and published by Open Shutter Press

Paper Boats

Donna Burke Esgro

I am a river

coiling, curving

flowing ore at first light

jumping the reeds, rushes, sedges

trailing silver ribbons of salmon

I run heavy

with blood, tears, poison

broken hearts of bears

wispy with water hyacinths, damselflies

Listen to my ancient songs

from glacial depths

to tarnished surface

Pay heed as I flood, surge, rage

against jagged cliffs

crack boulders and chisel stone

into sacred chasms

Attend as I light the votive candles

of ten thousand transparent spawn

Kneel as you set sail your paper boats

fleeting as wings of time

I am a river

resolute as the constant stars

my blue veins coursing, coursing

to the thumping heart of the sea

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