The Ohio When It Rains (for Josh)

I'm dreaming of floods again

  here at the foot of the Ohio

The rain has stalled here

  & the Kentucky is swollen

  & houses are sliding down hills

    out east in Harlan County

I'm driving through a dream at dusk

  toward Indianapolis

  in a Chevy the same color as rain

I can't see, and I can't connect

  & the dream is waiting, you see

  about

  when is it time to move

  when do the gates get slammed

    across Adams

  when is it time to grab the cat

  & head for higher ground

  when does dread move to threat

  when does threat move to fact

when, finally, is it time for action?

I stand

in a hidden doorway

facing the floodwall

at the corner of Quincy & Adams

rain falling down like oppression

and long for the clear sun & heat of Tucson

from Spiel In the Face of Those Who Wish You Ill

written spring 2001