Sue De Kelver
The Difference In Miles
(9/12/2005)

Drought destroyed the soybeans.
We lost most of the corn crop.
What's left of the lawn crunches.

When the blessed deluge begins
I am shopping at Sam's. Later I push
my cart through ankle-deep swells.

The wind tears the receipt
from my hand. I watch it circle
the storm drain then disappear,

pulled toward the Fox River,
the Illinois, the Mississippi.
I pray whoever finds it will know

I know how lucky I am,
heading home with canned tuna,
soft soap, a box of breakfast bars.

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