River of Memories

Alpin’ glow bright
red over the Russian
River kids at play

Salmon
leaping suddenly
I’m back in

Benares people
are shouting
bargaining people

Everywhere cleaning
the polluted river
transported back

in time to my childhood gurgling
tormented brown
river calling me for help.

Too young to
understand the cry, I
smile unaware of water’s plight

Back in California almost
a man, I
smile and kids splash

Bend down and scoop
floating styrofoam
Box from swirling

Smile transforms to
a determined
gaze.

---

Daniel William Seeman, Age 16
Berkeley High School
Berkeley, California
Teacher: Becky Gross