Skeleton

the river is not wide
but deep enough
that you would not wade
to the other side

spanning it
is a skeleton
of charred wood
too feeble now
to hold your weight

calling your name
I realize that
my voice won't carry
as my words are swept
downstream

I wonder if you knew
when you lit the match
that I was the bridge
you were burning?

---Don McGonigal - August 2005