Will Portage

Untamed or unnamed, the tilt is in
her head—and a lock shuts
down forever to stop

the spread of invasive
species up
river. Forever is

a long time to fight the ambitions
of fish. She’ll find the way
to unburden her own.

Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock and Dam

As old as me—water
held to rise
level to the north, water
rushes out
level to the south. 

The only true falls
the entire length of this mighty river.
I could be the lock master
in another life. Mitre-shaped, 

the gates won’t open
till equilibrium returns. I wish
mine worked so well
after all these years.