The water is wide
Littered with empty bodies
Once young old weak and strong
Mingled with fish and sledge
Along with the memories of those
Who made it over the Ohio
To a new home of hope
No land but how brave
Promising to remain
North of the river
Away from pattyrollers
Somehow, finally free
Their lucky descendant
Starts driving faster
As I take a bridge
One of several I’ll cross
Just hoping for fun tonight
In Cincy or Louisville
Leaving Kentucky for Ohio
Trading South for North
Simply signs on the highway
Beneath the shining images
Pointing me to a downtown
Or a floating casino
Nothing calls to attention
The history or the bodies
Still and real below me
Trapped in the Ohio
Permanently, without memories
Somehow, finally free
© Gayle Force Press 2012
A poem by Franklin Oliver
The WhoDeannyPod 