Floods give us canyons and arks,
Rushing waters carve a channel,
Old formations they will dismantle,
And, smooth new areas for green parks.
Noah searched for a brave new world,
Finally, there is a green olive leaf,
And, we have the renewing motif.
Animals expand into the herd.
Caution still for another flood,
Handy to have a boat or ark,
For rapids like a wild soapsud.
Mankind again will explore and embark,
Battle with a giant and Goliath thug,
And, settle nicely in a river park.
Francis Conlon is a retired and recovering teacher. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a seasonal river ranger and boat inspector at Yampa River State Park in northwest Colorado. He has published in the local Valley Voice and in Westward Quarterly. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.