The brackish roots of river pine

Anchored in my curving spine

Bend to the whims of wind's design

And I lay down at your side



Above the brine of reds in clay

A swollen angel oaks bouquet

In the red-winged blackbird's eyes of grey

A saltwater tear resides



But the sand and the earthen parapet

Silts into this rivulet

The bluffs and the banks will soon forget

A single tear was cried



And in this spawning ground it blooms

The nectar and the petal plumes

A purple swallow now exhumed

From the river that has died



Palmately spread delphinium

Bachelor-buttoned malva comes

To be your lilied bride



The crimson of rinoculous

Gardenia and dianthus

The bloodless ivory water-lotus

Sweetly opens wide



But even the most fondly named

Rooted and green leaves framed

Surely must come to be reclaimed

Beyond the great divide



Without a voice left to sing

With waterlogged and heavy wing

With peaceful eyes unsuffering

A pigeon floats in the tide