30 Poems in 30 Days

Rivers

I have known him forty-four years.
She, married to him, is so different
and suddenly speaks as if single.

I cannot get away from the effect of rivers,
she says, growing up on one. He's a city boy
where coast and beach and surf mingle.

It's the rank smell, I say. The red gums.
She nods. The peaceful flow. The birds.
We roll our eyes at the way seagulls dangle.

And when you learn to swim, I begin
there's no waves crashing, just the current -
and darkness! and so our memories tangle. 

We are still best friends, he and I
and now she 'friends' me on facebook.
I look at their great marriage
from a whole new angle.