waters

laughter bursts out in little ripples

through this warm clear

night

quickly

silenced

by the heaviness

of the

dark water

on our streets

in our homes

rising up to claim

illusions of

security,

rest

even life

from within our

midst

with weighted feet

we walk damp

pavement

our sorrow and our love

for this city

muddied and

overflowing

like the waters

from the cumberland

that rise,

and rise

again.