River Town

I live in a river town, know
my way around, walk
here and there and won’t
be nobbled, neither bounder
nor leaper, foot after foot
forge forward, as need be.

Someone offers me a lift,
and forgetful I get in,
but befogged where
this drifter gets his
directions, mindful then
I alight and walk home.

I’ve yet to learn to keep
quiet, tho no longer tip
the cup, and what books
I wrote won’t remain,
my purpose no longer
easily to entertain.

Moonlight spills on streets
silent rivers of summer heat
cool night but rivers don’t
sleep and walkers walk
to avoid being driven
to despair with no air.

This is not a myth I am
with you all the way,
each stream wiggles
down to the big rivers,
the sound of the water
breezes thru dry brush.