Circle of Encounters

By the River

I went down to the river to see
the sunlight waltz across the ripples.
The wind scattered the leaves of a tree
hanging over the water.  A man
leaning against the trunk ate an apple.
He gazed west, as if to see Japan.
I asked if he thought the fish could think.
"Fish can't think in rippling water,"
he said, "it hypnotizes them."
He tossed the core.  I watch it sink.
"On moonless nights the fish think better.
No ripple glitter distracts their minds."
He left.  I watched the river turn pewter
as clouds flew in on the evening winds.

Next Poem:  "Tulip Bearers"
List of Poem Circles
Updated last on:  2001/05/24