River of Words

The          of          flowing           this
       river      words            across       page

reminds     of       Carmel
            me      the             River.



Near            awash        steelhead
         banks            with               spawn,

frogs       toads       hoarsely      one
         and         call               to        another

as         catch        for          dinner.
    they           flies       their



Birds         nests          tall
         build         in the      cottonwoods,

their                of          filling     air.
       symphony    songs         the



Many          come    visit      beautiful
         people        to        this               place,

      all      captivated     its
and    are                  by     wonder.

---

Emma Finch, age 9
2008 Finalist
Carmel, California
Carmel River School
Teacher: Wendy Block