oh susquehanna,
they told me not to swim
but my dreams leapt first.

what am i but unclean?
born of the murky delaware
from which we're scolded not to eat

whose shores i dared erode
while i stood spitting
coaxing still waters
to ring ankles like little necks.

oh susquehanna,
what traitor am i to the fluoridated waters
i seek to silence thirst?

i have lazed in the hair of the earth
perpetually stunned, in awe of your discourse
a murmur to the belly skimming herons
and geese honking at the sun.

my irises spread to receive you panaramically,
fixed focus to the distance,
my heart a-doggypaddlin' behind.