Susan Hawthorne #86 five rivers, Acheron

finding my way through

the five rivers

of the underworld

not easy rivers to navigate

paradise might not be within reach

I ask    whose paradise is it?

before I enter the underworld

I want to talk to Charon

that old ferryman

an equal opportunity program

has been in place

it's a ferrywoman this time

she's taken the old name

has to    it comes with the job

she ferries me across the Acheron

I weep and weep

and weep some more

a lake of tears

the woes of all
who have died before me