Blood

Tonight

in the river

I was beginning to be

moved

past the limits of

strength 

and my heart sped

and I could feel

my oxygenated blood

pounding through me.

Blood is deeply

personal

inscribed with unique 

markers and signs

small wonder that 

in the oasis

I should look at

the lacerations 

on your arm

and wonder how 

you might taste. 

Yet too much blood

covering the hand

body, and shoes

of my friend 

revolts with the 

tang of copper

and it’s scent 

warns us of danger.

Blood is what

is owed for a death 

it flows from our palms

and our eyes

in a miracle of

suffering

binds together

families

and sustains

life

it is the river

tonight.

Photo courtesy of Mary Cloutier