by John Thomas Kelly
The river high and thick and murky green,
its surface like slabs of muscle, shouldered through
the valley, knocking apart our new-built bridge,
then sprawled across the town, uncaring, obscene.
The wind was gentle, the sky was clear and blue—
this flood was born upstream. Our privilege
was witnessing a full-grown god tear down
what we had made—and then just lie around.
J-T Kelly is an innkeeper in Indianapolis. He lives in a brick house with his wife Hannah, their six children, his two parents, and a dog.
header image: Carey Ohio Flood Scene (1913) (Public Domain)
Please follow and like us:
