The Swollen River

In spring, my sunken eyes opened to find
A girl too young to launch a ship, but old
Enough to walk with me to Rivertide
Where sunlight, filtered by the slouching oak
Casts shifting lights on blooming, weedy ground
We took the path along the ragged coast
It winds around so lovers can't be found
She laughed and sang as if she were alone
We found the docks and sailed a blue canoe;
Beneath a bridge, I stood and hit my head;
She braced the boat, and then she held my wound
Pure virgin youth was stained from where I bled
A hummingbird flew nearer as we kissed:
My love returning: hungry, tentative