Connecticut River,
thinned to a tensionless
film, almost silverleaf-
mirroring the could-grey sky.
A single bullnose carp,
deep copper
against the rivermurk–
it appears frozen.
A glyph installed by
Damien Hirst.
A last remaining ice raft
holds on the surface,
dancing against forces
that lap-edge the river.
Cold wet air,
thick with
scrub pine
and mossy decomposition.
From this place,
the mind asks—
why this again?
– Mark Youseff
I am a practicing physician and graduate student in English at Northern Kentucky University. I live in Newport, Kentucky with my wife, daughter, two dogs, two cats, and multiple plants.
Only an ice-encrusted heart could compose such beautiful verse. Greetings from the bottom of the river.