Watch this trick that water does.

It never fails to draw attention

to itself. Every face has turned to look at it

as if it were a work of art.

Each one of these men and women,

though sitting quite apart, is still a part

of the river’s audience.

Even the dog has turned to gaze

at the performance

of water-light and the dazzle it creates,

thrown back over the rapt faces,

sprinkled on these lounging bodies,

turning them to legend.

What if behind them, tall towers

are flying flags of smoke

that smudge a perfect sky, what if

behind their backs the sirens cry?

These water-watchers have resolutely turned

away from daily hourly drudgery

to contemplate the dip and swish

of passing riverboats.

Their shoulders and their backs

are washed by light.

They are transfixed,