X. Observations from the River

I.

Two tired fly fishermen sit under the yellow glow of a vapor light. The plastic picnic table between them is damp from the rain. Their eyes are not focused on anything in particular and their minds wander to the river. They sip from Coors Light bottles and push around a green Rapala lure left behind by some gear fishermen. 

II.

If there was a moon that night, it would have shown its pale face to the river, bathing ancient fish in its cold silver glow. 

III.

I had a dream last night about a Nez Perce woman who danced on the surface of the water. Her long arms and dark hair swept across the river. Her movements so beautiful the steelhead rose out of the water just to see her dance. 

IV.

In a room full of feathers an old man looked out the window. A covey of quail occupied the dirt road outside. A truck with out of state plates turned down the road scattering the quail, unaware of the old man’s gaze.

V.

On the high bridge, the one that’s really three old bridges stitched together, a young girl took a nap in a camp chair. She never noticed the trucks adorned with long spey rods across their hoods squeezing past her carefully so to not disturb her dreams. 

VI.

In the campsite with the wall tent, a gang of feral cats stole hot dog buns from unexpecting fishing guides. 

VII.

A man who goes by ‘J.C.’ wandered over to the campfire with a beer in his jacket. He swayed towards the warmth and declared himself virus free. To anyone listening, he preached a stumbled sermon on the peculiarities of steelhead.

VIII.

The town was full of desaturated buildings with peeling paint. A dam looms in overhead, holding back two million acre feet of water and thousands of years of spawning fish. 

IX.

Teenage girls sat on the swings at the park gossiping about boys. Inside each of them is a timid curiosity about what exists away from Highway 12.

X.

I wish I knew what the rain was trying to say. Instead I just stood in the current, watching the drops hit the water and made another cast. I wish I knew what I was trying to say. Instead I just step down stream and make another cast.