Flying over the Cape Fear River - Sally Hanes Hubbell

[Larry Robinson]

Flying over the Cape Fear River				
										
Maybe it’s enough to know
That it was beautiful here, 
where the water reached into 
the inland ways of the river. 

The trees were green. Birds lived in them 
for the foliage that hid their great nests.
It did our hearts good to look for them, 
though usually they remained hidden.
It did our hearts good to see green
where we expect it to be.

Not so now, as salt has leached its way from the distant 
ocean to the mouth and heart, flooding our eyes in salty tears.
That is where salt belongs, after all- 
running down checks, in flows triggered 
by the least sign of tenderness and longing 
for the way things were.

I keep thinking of you, moving quickly, decisively 
to get on with a life made of healthy appetites. 
Now my memory is stronger than your step
and comes to me quicker than you can. 
What pain to think my memory is heartier 
than you are at this point of your dying.

Go find a tree for healthy nesting. 
Explore lush green branches where the 
salt of our tears has no hope of reaching. 
The loss of hope is hard, but we’ll 
find you there anyway.

Your nest has been built. 
Go see what is hatching there, 
hidden in the foliage of your vibrant green life.

	- Sally Hanes Hubbell
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