We have floated the river from its lake
source south, sighting Oliver grape vineyards
then on to Osoyoos, where we forsake
our voyage for shore, offer our regards
to natives as we forge up Anarchist
Mountain to view fertile valley. They smile
and call to us in Salashan. We’ve kissed
in sunset, held each other, watched curled miles
of water gather its golden glow. Love,
shall we stay here and live like ancient ones,
hunt and gather from the land, rise above
our stark greed and waste back home, grow alone
together, nurture one another, try
to conjure peace with chants to starlit sky?
Roger Armbrust
July 13, 2009
