Soul Stains
Sinking into
the mud
at river’s edge,
the dirty water
laden paste
rises above
the sole
of my sandals and
squishes between
my toes.
After dipping
my paddle into
rolling waves,
after my canoe
is rinsed
and racked,
I soap
my feet in the
shower but
a colored residue
remains.
I consider
the times
darkness has
overtaken me.
Certain
moments
leave a
mark.
—Marci Madary, La Crosse, WI
