The White River of December

The White River of tons of dead fish

The White River of branches of ammonia

The White River of thiram & lead bromate

The White River of known carcinogens

 

Flowing across stolen lands

Bleaching the stones between worlds

 

The White River a sludge of dreams

The White River a legacy of head lamps

The White River a deadness of names

The White River a reminder of blush

 

A mesh of drowning, of throes

Flowing through the city of Indiana

Along the amphitheater, behind the legislature

Scorching the mouths of mouths

 

The White River enshrouded

With cigarette butts & Round-Up, paint & brake dust

The White River inscribed

By a century of easements, retrospect not prospect

 

The White River that sheens kayaks, duck decoys

The White River that lusters the heron’s legs

The White River that glistens the carps’ eyelids

The White River that meanders its zombie gait

Through what passes for care