Maureen Seaton

Purgatory River

There’s a river called Purgatoire that winds through Trinidad,
Colorado. I found a path to it once from the little marijuana shop
where people come from out-of-state. It’s true, I’ve not forgiven
my mother, even though I’ve worked for years at removing her
from my mind. When she was dying I almost forgave her. That last
day, I almost did. I held her ribcage in my arms and heard her last
word that sounded exactly like my name. Then I wrapped her in
fine gauze I’d found in her hope chest. Soon I will see her on the
other side. She will hand me columbines as I cross the Purgatory
River, and I will take them or I will keep rowing, as if I hadn’t seen
them at all.