the ruby and the river
she dropped her ruby into the slow-moving river
it flowed downstream a bit then settled quickly
grabbed by the silted bottom like an eager lover
afternoons she’d strip off her clothes, dive in
swim down to see her ruby glint in the muddy light
each day it became a little harder to see
the riverbed slowly claiming it for its own
until finally one day she jumped from the shore
split the surface of the water with two pointed hands
felt the water take hold of her body, welcome her
she swam down but couldn’t find the ruby
just the stoic riverbed, waiting but offering nothing
/ / /
4 March 2014
State College, PA
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