Pent Water

Pent Water


Pent water trembled at the dam

                                                                          Moonlight shivered at its lip

                                        By the dam I watched all night

                                                              And wore my starry cape.

                                                                     I watched the brown bats slip

                                                                                                  Under dawn’s skirt and escape

                                                                         All their hunting done.

                                                 Pent water dimpled at brink

                                                            The dam shrugged its shoulders

                                                                         Hurling beams, cattle, barns

                                                                                              Cars and all in its wake.

                                                                                 --Barbara Spring