Paper Boats by Donna Burke Esgro

This poem first appeared in Flora/Fauna an internationally curated book of eco-poetry and photography, edited by Pete Taylor and published by Open Shutter Press

Paper Boats

Donna Burke Esgro

I am a river
coiling, curving
flowing ore at first light
jumping the reeds, rushes, sedges
trailing silver ribbons of salmon

I run heavy
with blood, tears, poison
broken hearts of bears
wispy with water hyacinths, damselflies

Listen to my ancient songs
from glacial depths
to tarnished surface

Pay heed as I flood, surge, rage
against jagged cliffs
crack boulders and chisel stone
into sacred chasms

Attend as I light the votive candles
of ten thousand transparent spawn

Kneel as you set sail your paper boats
fleeting as wings of time

I am a river
resolute as the constant stars
my blue veins coursing, coursing
to the thumping heart of the sea

More from Donna Burke Esgro ↓

* @the_writing_harpsichord on Instagram

Submissions are currently closed. Keep an ear on the podcast to know when the next window will open. Join the mailing list to be the first to know ⬇️

🖋️ Read My Newsletter: Free Flow 🖋️