April is National Poetry Month: Inspired by Writers-Part II

Sherman Alexie’s Ode to Coffee inspired this, my only ode.

Robert L. Slater
Ode to Water (with a nod to Sherman Alexie)

In the river bank, the long haired native kid
    Watches the salmon flow by
        “Take my bid,
    My brother, my sacred self,” He sighs
As a dump truck driver spills refuse in the watershed–
A blasphemous act—and then tosses his cigarette in too
    But hesitates to follow it with his can
        Simply squashing it in his hand
And dropping it on the ground.  All through

With it. Please, pummel me if I ever dare
    To pollute the sea, the river, the waters
        Here is where here is there.
    What fool wants to wreak such matters?
The driver drives off to find another load, unaware
That anyone cares about this land or this river
    I want my water free and clear
        And, O, sweet and clean
I want to see in the water the night moon’s sliver

I want to swim in it so cold that it burns
    My skin and renews my energy
    Makes me one with nature—a synergy
Finding in myself that I’ve no concerns
If I can go out into the wild and dip my hand
    Touch the branch of a tree
    Leave it where it may be
To grow or die, to be carried away to other lands
Carved into a shape, a boat, a deer or a spear
    That thrown bloodies the target
    Brings death and regret
And (to all those that spew their filth into my, your, our river) fear

Another Mindy McGinnis inspired poem next week.