A Song for the Rogue

Elliot was right about the river
at least today
after the first fall rains
it truly is a strong brown god
though I would argue
neither sullen nor looking
to be tamed
intractable perhaps and forceful yes
its lithe bronze body flowing
effortless
the way a python glides across
the forest floor
or clouds stream overhead
in a windstorm
the Rogue descends
from high in the Cascades
through corridors of basalt
and blue serpentine
whitewater riffles mark its progress
to the coast
where finally it broadens
and slips past
the harbor at Gold Beach
to empty out
into the wide Pacific
free at last