The Ohio River

The river took its time
Held and slowed by wooded hills
On either side
Roads and driveways
Sliced to the left
Into mysterious fields
And ancient woods
It all felt familiar
And lonely
Removed and far away

Here it was the river
And one road following
Its curves
Revealing old summer cabins
And tattered resorts
From long ago
Revealing places
Where poverty will take you
Down by the river
Where everyone is poor
And used to simple living
Where not much has to be enough

There were tobacco fields
Waving bright yellow leaves
Then dark curing barns
Drying the leaves in the river air
Roads racing up into the woods
Contained mysteries
And quarrels
Love and families
Bound tight to this land
This river
Roads that beckoned to me
Dared me

Tiny towns slowed
My city metabolism, whispering
Stop here, stay here
Look at the river
But I had clocks and calendars
Time and destinations
Maps with calculations
Scribbled on the side

The river rolled slow and wide
And green
On the right
Keep driving keep driving
Look at the river
I had to get to Delaware
Promising myself I would return