Red Banks with Pebbles

I've memorized
that particular excerpt of
the stream in
Stowe
on the side of the road
near where we parked the car
many years ago and crossed
the footbridge to the other side
I kept something of myself there
near where clay and earth slanted on a hilly bank
strewn with pebbles
that flowed down into the cool stream
maybe I turned to look back
near where the salamanders
slipped quickly into the waters and swam away
trees behind us and full summer
all around
near the pass in the mountain that closes
mid-autumn because of snow
to get to the other side you
have to go the long way around
through the sad late afternoon lights of Jeffersonville
and the mountain road won't open again
until after the final spring thaw.