as i sit on this cliff ledge,
feet dangling over 
the kentucky river,
my fingertips trace 
the impressions left by
fossilized creatures who lived
back when this land was 
under and ocean 

people tread over the impressions
so they can view 
the forested landscape
surrounding the slow-moving vein 
of bluegrass beauty 

i wonder, 
centuries from now,
if this river will still be here?
if this land will still be called kentucky?
if my countenance will be immortalized in stone
for people to walk over?