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I waded, deepening, into the dark water.

Evening, and the push

And swirl of the river as it closed

Around my legs and held on.

Young grilse broke water.

Parr darted one way, smolt another.

Gravel turned under my boots as I edged out.

Watched by the furious eyes of king salmon.

Their immense heads turned slowly,

Eyes burning with fury, as they hung

In the deep current.

They were there. I felt them there,

And my skin prickled. But

There was something else.

I braced with the wind on my neck.

Felt the hair rise

As something touched my boot.

Grew afraid at what I couldn’t see.

Then of everything that filled my eyes –

That other shore heavy with branches,

The dark lip of the mountain range behind.

And this river that had suddenly

Grown black and swift.

I drew breath and cast anyway.

Prayed nothing would strike.

Raymond Carver. 1986.

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Last modified: September 10, 2006