Skip to main content
Poets.org

mobileMenu

  • Poems
  • Poets
  • Poem-a-Day
  • National Poetry Month
  • Materials for Teachers
  • Academy of American Poets
  • American Poets Magazine

Main navigation

  • Poets.org
  • Academy of American Poets
  • National Poetry Month
  • American Poets Magazine

User account menu

  • Log in
  • Membership
  • Donate
Donate
Donate
Poets.org

2023 Academy of American Poets Prize

Page submenu block

  • find poems
  • find poets
  • poem-a-day
  • library (texts, books & more)
  • materials for teachers
  • poetry near you

The Dead Vlei

by Megan Slusarewicz
 

One thousand years ago, a lonely traveler removes her sandals to cool her feet in the river. Sidewinders hover over the wrinkle sand. Undisturbed yellow geckos close their little eyelids to warm themselves on stones. The traveler lifts the bow from her back, ricochets the twig across the string, the sweet sound. The instrument of loneliness and wisdom. The sound that guides sheep to water. She crouches and dips her face into the water, soothes her stinging eyelids. She gulps down liquid and her stomach cools. Tall trees drink from the river. 1,000 years later a mud-caked sky above one woven rice sack gritty against palms lathered in oil the largest dunes loll forward dry tongues sloping for the dead marsh naro melon and squat salosa shrubs the only lives absorb morning mist The woman slings the bow over her back, turns from the river, slides on her sandals, and continues walking. She sighs a shivering chord clear in the rich air. shadows torn into burlap scorched ash in the sun 900 years ago the climate dried and rusted orange dunes blocked the river

back to University & College Poetry Prizes

Newsletter Sign Up

Support Us

  • Become a Member
  • Donate Now
  • Get Involved
  • Make a Bequest
  • Advertise with Us
  • Poets Shop

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • SoundCloud
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Footer

  • poets.org

    • Find Poems
    • Find Poets
    • Poetry Near You
    • Jobs for Poets
    • Read Stanza
    • Privacy Policy
    • Press Center
    • Advertise

  • academy of american poets

    • About Us
    • Programs
    • Prizes
    • First Book Award
    • James Laughlin Award
    • Ambroggio Prize
    • Chancellors
    • Staff

  • national poetry month

    • Poetry & the Creative Mind
    • Dear Poet Project
    • Poster
    • 30 Ways to Celebrate
    • Sponsorship

  • american poets

    • Books Noted
    • Essays
    • Advertise
© Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038
poets .org