The Adherent

A letter from Leo Raskellar, cabinet-maker, to Peter Venture, coutourier, dated the afternoon of Sep 6, 1907

Sir,
If you were a boat's captain,
and I a stranded swimmer,
and I could not for all my trying get to your boat,
it would be my fondest wish to be rope-tied to its hull.
And then what could you do with the smashing rocks
of the Falls of the Ohio upon us so,
and I finding my place amongst the smiling figurines
of the chuted, limestone rocks?
No! We will pass down our parallel course.
You--the rock in the high place,
I--the grind down below.
We will peril this passing stream
that wells in my heart.
La belle riviere!
Jade green, O-hi-o!
And if we fall,
taking conquest of our fear for good fortune
Here is to our meeting and our loving,
Here is to you and our commonwealth!
Your faithful adhesive,
Leo Raskellar, Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

Copyright Š1994, James A. Gardner

jag@rahul.net
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