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High Noon on the River
Lina Wong

High noon on the river came a red canoe
Gliding through the pads of water lilies,
Sun glinting off her bronze and golden hair.
She deftly slashed the over-growing vines
With a Hori-Hori her husband gifted her.

Along the bend at Cooper’s Notch a man
Turned up, standing on the bank.
”What brings you here?” he queried. She was silent.
”Do you do theater?” he abruptly asked,
”I’m scouting for the remake of the old High Noon.
You could be Kane’s former lover. Your hair
Is perfect for the role.” And, with that,
He stepped in to the red canoe and
Deeply pierced in to her eyes with his.
His big white hands went up to stroke her hair.

She froze . . . the Hori still in hand
Upturned. She knew her stuff. With aplomb
She plunged it through his far-left side,
Avoiding major organs. Then, in one
Smooth move she pushed him overboard.
The knife, it stayed with her. The sun had moved
And dazzled off the hilt in crimson-silver.
She called, “High time you left the river,” while
She paddled off, lilies in her wake.
Happy-go-lucky she was, a capable woman.

—
Lina Wong grew up in New Jersey on the Hudson River and now lives in Rio Rancho on the Rio Grande. She loves the skies, land, mountains, and snow of New Mexico. Her other favorite place is Mount Desert Island, Maine. When not working as a nurse, she likes to play Chopin, grow daisies and dahlias, and clamber up the La Luz Trail.

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Have you read these poems:
August Morning on the Mesa After Rain by David Meischen
Paco Sainte Sails Home by Richard Levine

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