The branch balances
suspended on the dam
with one end hanging
over the spillway
not yet surrendering
to the rush of water below.
the other end
splayed twigs grasping at the air
above the still water from whence it came
as if reaching
longing
for that calm past.
Two days pass.
The branch remains unmoved.
and I wonder
when the force of the still water
that has brought it to this point
will take it on
to the exhiliration
of the full catastrophe.
