river watching

photo by Livia Thomas

a boulder in the sun watches a

silver fish leap from the rushing river

a circle of shadow ripples left behind

treetops sing with twilight gold

mosquitoes crowd the purple air

another lazy day to memory

across the river the sun drops

behind a stand of old oaks

And dark deepens into quiet violet

bats and swallows swoop low

competing for dinner in

the mosquito-laden heat

a child screams and points

adults rush to the bank as a fat raccoon

trundles along on swift feet below

an island of locust trees provides

haven for the masked river traveler

and the camp quietens

lying in limbo somewhere near sleep

the people next door try to

build a fire with no kindling

smoke curls and winds its way

around my neck and nose

restless sleep begins