Five Ways of Looking at a River
for the Winooski (Abenaki for Onion River)

I
A mountain stream is rushing, quickly moving
it curls down the mountain and tangles
in a tree root, flowing over rocks and into
the slow Winooski River

II
A trickle of water
in a brown sludge ditch
labors its way to liberty:
the river

III
Splash on the water
a fallen bird’s nest
searching for the fledglings
that have flown away from home.
This shell-bearing vessel
wanders down the river

IV
Young brook
crowned in golden leaves
an innocent, naively rushing towards
the ancient river

V
The Onion River, like America, flows
teeming with tales
crisscrossed with cultures
seeking out stories and secrets to keep.
I hear our river singing!

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Anika James, Age 13
Friday Poets’ Society (Homeschool Group)
Shelburne, Vermont
Teacher: Alison James