Crossing
Harold Bowes

The river in late summer
River Chinook school in the brown eddies
We watch from high on the bridge
Light flashing on the silver scales

River Chinook school in the brown eddies
A power pole on the bank, two on the other side, then a church steeple
Light flashing on the silver scales
Glints on the roofing tiles and a silver cross at the pinnacle

A power pole on the bank, two on the other side, then a church steeple
As we walk across the bridge to the commercial district watching
Glints on the roofing tiles and a silver cross at the pinnacle
The sunlight makes cross patterns appear in the current

A single fish turns sideways and back again
We watch from high on the bridge as
A gull's shadow scoots across the water's surface and the school scatters
This is the river in late summer

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