a bridge excavates
the whirling river
        at night
        the wounds cry so loud
everything you thought was
                so charming
about this "prison" you think this

creates this eroded valley
                 as the water
passing through becomes silk

*****

war paint has its own
heartbeat,
        the ringing of eroded
coins and spearhandles
in the river


9.16.99
glendora, CA