Nights I row to the middle
of a smooth and deep lake,
the boat sliding like a skater
across the water,
oars tugging
at the moon’s reflection.
Trees crowd the shore,
a circle of spectators,
and stars signal their approval
as I slip in without
a splash.
Bursts of air
balloon to the surface
and silt rises in a rusty cloud.
Before waking,
I drop a chain to the bottom,
drag it across the bed,
pulling up stones, silvery fish,
and finally, tied up in weeds,
a body.
Published in Adobe Walls, 2 River View
Photo by Paxson Woelber on Unsplash