at first
I could not believe it
me
running from the tram
to the wide open fields
no boundaries
just paths to guide
and marvellous
storm fed clouds
pillowing over the Rhine
casting Cologne
in half darkness
but at the bend
in the river
near flooding
tree tops
just appearing
over the swell
forth and back
barges passing
heavy laden
as for sea
in my ecstacy
as in a dream
I knelt
as before God
and felt
the soft
friable
river peat
clay and sand
stick to my fingers
like a tight brown glove
though far away
I felt at home
grounded
by Rhenish clay