The brackish roots of river pine Anchored in my curving spine Bend to the whims of winds design And I lay down at your side Above the brine and the reeds of clay A swollen angel oaks bouquet In the red wing blackbirds eyes of grey A saltwater tear resides But the sand and the earthen parapet Silts into this rivulet The blood and the banks will soon forget A single tear was cried And in this (unknown) The nectar and the petal plumes The purple swallow now exhumed From the river that has died The crimson of rinoculous Gardenia and dianthus The bloodless ivory water-lotus Sweetly opens wide Oh Without a voice left to sing With waterlogged and heavy wing Peaceful eyes, unsuffering A pigeon floats in the tide