Before the River Rose

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