Cole Williams spent a year observing the Mississippi River and its environs from her new home along its banks just south of St. Paul. She recorded her thoughts in the form of short poems, some of which are personal (“Dust on Our Hearts”) and some of which offer insightful commentaries on the river in her backyard (“City River”). The poems are generally light in tone, often with a good sense of humor. They follow the river (and its observer) through the dramatic seasonal changes, like in “Who Wants to Read About the Winter?” and “Return of the Tugboat.” It’s a nice collection of poems, always perceptive, often moving. ( )