Washwomen on the Capamacho

Dec 23, 2007 - 22:59 PM PST

At a hard river bend
where driftwood nests and gathers
between vibrant boulders
warm beyond dusk, a pair of mothers
beat out the day's wash
with an effort kept hushed
under casual discussion
as violet climbs the sky
their eternal passerby stirs up a shiver,
straightens their posture,
as a stranger might.

Tomorrow starts with milling grain;
shadows stretch across the hills--
no time to complain, and no complaints
should God not will.