Before the river rose, we cared
We cared about the curious bend in the river
Where we skied at dusk on Saturdays
We cared about boat rides
At the crest of dawn and how
The sun can imperceptibly rise and
Then take over the sky
It was if that same sun dropped
In the muddy river and spilled over
Submerging already saturated soil
Rains fall rising to the top of tin roofs
Scorched by noon’s heat
We worry now more about submerged cars
Water more polluted than air
Mud and mildew no amount of Clorox negates
The smell of decay
Cattle that never knew their intentions
We don’t think of the joys of the river anymore
We think how it ruined us
How we rue the day the river rose