National Poetry Month #6: Traveling the Rivers of Washington

I wrote this poem as I listened to the names of the rivers in Washington state. As I traveled across a good portion of Washington state today, I photographed the rivers.  Today I saw the Columbia, Skykomish, Wenachee, Okanogan, and Methow.  Above is the mighty Columbia

Traveling the Rivers of Washington

In Washington state

 rivers flow out of the mountains,

connect to guide travelers,

 merge with the ocean,

and roll on to the Columbia.

Coastal Indians paddled the Nisqually, Nooksack, Quinault;

Northern bands camped on the Kettle, Colville, Sanpoil, Okanogan;

Explorers relied on the Spokane, Yakima, and Palouse;

Missionaries journeyed close to the Touchet, Tucannon, and Walla Walla;

Locals love the sound of Methow, Pend Oreille, Puyallup;

Wynoochee, Chehalis, Skykomish, and Elwha;

But when it comes to spelling them-

My favorites are Green, Snake, Lewis, and Rock.

Christy Woolum