2000/deaddog

DEAD DOG BEACH

The wet reeds are smashed
flat to the ground.
This was the lake floor once,
but now a rabbit forages about.
I used to call it the tanglewood.
It was more mysterious then.
A little scary, if I went in alone
would I find my way out?
He says I have bad maps in my head,
or is it no maps at all?
I do not readily record geography.
But I have memorized the roots
that mark my step
into the dry creek.
And know to avoid
the trail with the fallen log,
which is more circuitous.
The first winter we lived here
we named things.
Big Tree and Dead Tree
have lived on.
But Diaper Beach
and Dead Dog
have not.

1/28/00