flood

the sedimentation holds back the river,
the culvert, this,
holds the last remnants of the flood,
it might eat the banks,
it might crest over the banks,

it might eat the dirt, and cast it
where least useful,
carries everything to where it

is not supposed to be, might
deposit it into
the place, where all things gather,
they might consume--

what was there, might suffocate
what was there, might

might grow, might fall--might
wait, might rise

above the banks

the dry place, is screaming, streaming
falling, from the rim,

is falling, is failing-is streaking from
the rim, may the gates, hold

may the gates fall, may the flow
remember, it’s shape

beneath the ground.