Floodwaters

Floodwaters

a park bench
sits neck-high
in water

throwing stones
from the stage
makes a splash

geese wander
in and out
black striped

there are herons
but they flee
as we approach

we watch them
disappear
into gray
windy skies

seagulls screech
screaming beaks
watch! warnings
 
grass squishes
beneath feet
soaking shoes

a squirrel
steals peanuts
a wooden
birdfeeder

cormorants
perched high
primping feathers
of black and gray

wisps of clouds
purple and gray
tumble about
in the wind
and the rain

the Willamette
chocolate
churning brown
rushing north
to Portland
to the sea



by Ronald Borst 3/3/2014