A man by the river sang, “Who knows, who knows”
as clouds crept over the sun, leering & contemptuous.

For a horrible moment, I stared at the burning silhouette
of that smouldering, unseeing eye. The man cried,

“Who knows, who knows” like it was God smiling
like it was God answering his hapless prayer.

And for another horrible moment, I watched the river
running its course, swift & sure. And I wept along.