Paper Boats by Donna Burke Esgro

This poem first appeared in Flora/Fauna an internationally curated book of eco-poetry and photography, edited by Pete Taylor and published by Open Shutter PressPaper Boats Donna Burke Esgro I am a rivercoiling, curvingflowing ore at first lightjumping the reeds, rushes, sedgestrailing silver ribbons of salmonI run heavywith blood, tears, poisonbroken hearts of bearswispy with water hyacinths, damselfliesListen to my ancient songsfrom glacial depthsto tarnished surfacePay heed as I flood, surge, rageagainst jagged cliffscrack boulders and chisel stoneinto sacred chasmsAttend as I light the votive candlesof ten thousand transparent spawnKneel as you set sail your paper boatsfleeting as wings of timeI am a riverresolute as the constant starsmy blue veins coursing, coursingto the thumping heart of the seaMore from Donna Burke Esgro ↓@the_writing_harpsichord on InstagramMentioned in this episode:Write After with One Poem OnlyWrite After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. If you want to join: Listen to a poem from the month of April on One Poem Only, then write your own in response. I will pick one for each day to read in June for a special series: One Poem After 🍎🍏 Submissions close May 15.Write After Submissions Form