The Little Road Over the Dam

I don't know if it's still like this, but it used to be you could drive over the top of the dam on Baker Lake. I don't usually write about being a kid, but I got this idea after reading the following prompt in In the Palm of Your Hand by Steve Kowit: "Recall something that happened many years ago near a body of water."

Baker Lake

Dad takes the narrow road
over the top of the dam.
In the back seat, we study the lake

like cats regard what’s behind
a shower curtain. We hear
each pebble under the tires

of the Malibu, watch
waves lap the dam, through
the residue of window decals

Dad tried to remove.

Comments

PonyBoy Press said…

Oh, I like this very much!

February 12, 2008 at 9:35 PM

marquettegirl said…

This is wonderful, Amanda! I love your little poems, but then you do something a bit longer and more detailed and I think, "Wow. She's really good."
charline

February 25, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Anonymous said…

How six degrees of separation! My ex's former teacher was Steve Kowit :)

love the poem, as well :>

you're my favorite poet ever.

March 6, 2008 at 11:31 AM

Amanda Laughtland said…

Thanks for all the nice comments, everybody. :)

I like Steve Kowit's book--he has a very friendly attitude, and I bet he's fun as a teacher. I wondered if you might have known him since he's based in CA.

March 6, 2008 at 1:28 PM

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