LatinosUSA

You have seen brave men upon the great river
imagined their haggard faces at break of day
you know if you follow any river far enough
you will surely find them all

The dragged boat shadows
seem frozen still in dusk
unreal rays of light
fall equally on your face and theirs

Their hands stretched through mist are dark and weathered
they see stones lying beneath the waves
villages, drifting apricot blossoms, mortal women
they will tell you plainly
that once even stones floated upon the water

At night you may meet them on city streets
they fail to recognise your face
never know you hold affection for their race
you behold their faces altered dim by lamplight
hear their speech rough as gravel, plain as flowing tide
you come to understand, and smile soft and mild

When winter comes, they will seek you out
wrapping muddy trousers round their necks without doubt
they grow fond of you, place full trust in you
only because on snowy days
they saw you sitting all alone
beside the frozen river shore