Haunted now,
I finally understand
what he meant
when he crooned
about the river.
For there,
I felt Louise’s breath,
just the way he described it.
I floated away &
holding her pretty face,
I learned about love,
the angst,
the pure sadness
of broken dreams.

From time to time,
on these short days,
during these long
lonely nights,
I return,
Drift
Back
Down
to the river,
our kissing-place
& I remember,
how I grew up
in her arms,
& she,
she  
lying under me,
trembling,
grinned
from rosy cheek to rosy cheek.

Thanks Bruce,
for taking me there
in song.