A Deer Drowns in the Colorado River

dragged out of sight and down

past the bend,

 

past the shallow break of life and back

to something else--

something still and dark and quiet.

 

At least the water goes on,

dusted with starlight

and the last embers of a dying fire,

 

a thick strip of black

from here to the sea,

 

where you can taste

the salt

and the wet

 

and the indifference of a God

you barely remember.