RIVER

So focused was she

on the scene across the river

that without watching her step

she fell directly in.

Instant saturation.

And this river, a very wet one,

had not care or conscience

for her accompanying
accoutrements.

The carefully chosen clothing

now heavy and cumbersome.
Now unnecessary weight.

The fashionable or valuable

gold or silver or beaded jewels

mattered not here.

And the current twisted them off.

The paper dollars dissolved (!)

coins sank and stayed still in the sediment
below.

And looking back
toward the bank from which she tumbled
she saw familiar friends and strangers,
both.

Each held a mirror.

In the mirrors they checked
their image reflected back
their clothes were in tact
and jewels still attached
and paper and metal currency still tucked
in places
where it can be tucked.

Assured that their things were still theirs
they turned to look
at each another.

And saw each others things
Gawked at each others' rings
How silly they had been
to think about their own things!

They thought:
"If only I had that person's things
what joy it would bring!"

(To Be Continued...)