River Cat

Pristine ripples chit-chit-chattering
with stone cold faces,
like white-haired ladies on a Sunday afternoon;
the river preens and licks and purrs.

Shadows dance between dimpled banks
playing like children with whispering winds;
the sun smoothes her skirt over grassy whiskers,
the river preens and licks and purrs.

Winding bends echo secrets of root-fingered giants
massaging the fur on watery skin;
she raises her back to the soothing touch,
the river preens and licks and purrs.