don’t go to the river don’t stray too far 
can’t you hear 
her coyote cry

parents warning
she will take you
I wished that she would

I wished to be taken
into the arms of a mournful mother
to bury my face against
a soaked white dress
dripping with guilt

existing only
to love her children
the spirit of remorse

take me with you
teach me to swim
let us both stop weeping