Hafren
by Chris Kinsey
(Published in Cure For a Crooked Smile by Chris Kinsey, Ragged Raven Press 2009.)
Flicker of yellow wagtails
on the slant of summer shallows -
a skimmed stone splutters,
nicks the river three times
but the pocks ring-out
smooth before storm wrinkles.
A current on the curl hurls
split trees against bridges and walls.
The heron stands in flood dimples
undizzied by water's slap and whirl.
A kingfisher ricocheting off
the fish that got away
is a spark doused by blue siren scatter.
The clatter of skateboards
riddles the dipper from the dark grate
of alder roots - all white bib
over soot-smut shadow.