North St. Vrain Creek, Colorado

"... the creek rests the eye, a haven, a breast."
Annie Dillard

Between fringed banks she mounds, breasting
over water-bottom, shadow-nippled, naked, skinned
with sky and aspen leaves and dragonflies,
bellying between the shining boulder, a fluid
flesh but firm with the force of her going.
From the bridge at noon the heat of his seeing
knuckles down at her, senses jump the gap,
his eyes drink until the cool pools in his brain,
soaks down the thirsty length of him. As she
has found an interval's home in his eye, he
has discovered haven from the day's blaze
in her body of water.
Luci Shaw