Gathering by the long river again—
our sacred present and profane current—
of which we are both part and passenger.
We used to picnic more than once a year,
generations of mothers and fathers
gathering by the long river again—
To exchange gifts that were precious to us
because they came from the greatest waters
of which we are both part and passenger.
But now, there have been years of excuses—
realities preventing many from
gathering by the long river again—
And so this reunion is more precious
to those who rarely miss the melody
of which they are both part and passenger.
And we who were absent hasten our steps
to drink of life before we die without
gathering by the long river again—
as both part and passenger.
Posted for Poets United Poetry Pantry #254 along with the poem In the Stream which I wrote exactly a year ago. Sherry gave me the idea to look back because of the poem she posted for the pantry. The connection—comparison/contrast—between the two poems is a magical discovery to me. Maybe it will be so for you, too.
Copyright © 2015 S.L.Chast
Ah reunions.. its such a pleasure isn't it.. meeting your loved ones after such a long long time? Unfortunately life gets hectic after a while.. and we are unable to keep up... I too love the river.. and all its attributes :D Adore these lines:
ReplyDeleteAnd so this reunion is more precious
to those who never miss the melody
of which we are both part and passenger.
Beautifully penned..!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
We must gather by the river while we still can and bring a picnic as well, forget all of the excuses of the past, hasten one's steps, and join in. We have to drink of life while there is still time.
ReplyDeleteI think rekindle friendship like this is something we shouldn't miss when the river is at its most inviting. Love the use of the Villanelle...
ReplyDeleteLife like river flows and we should flow along too.
ReplyDeleteWhen we ask ourselves "What is the meaning of life?", we should not look forward but back to see where we have come from and look at our footsteps. Beautiful piece Susan.
ReplyDeleteWe need to value this precious gathering and drink of life so that there's no regret at the end of the day....
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary, we must gather there while we can.
ReplyDeleteLike the "both part and passenger" reference .. it brings a sense of timelessness.
ReplyDeleteThere is something sacred in this piece - not just the river but the act of gathering..magical indeed
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem - I was compelled to read it a few times slowly to take it all in.
ReplyDeletewhen we gather with family or friends we embrace love
ReplyDeletenice reflective piece
The language and rhythm make this quite magnificent.
ReplyDeleteloved the closing verse
ReplyDeleteI miss having those too.
ReplyDeleteThis poem leads the reader in a sort of trance/dance, which is very soothing....I love the repeated lines and am trying to figure out what form it is, or if this is just how it evolved. Very beautiful, and deep.
ReplyDeleteGoing to old places with old friends we haven't interacted with in a while can be such an awakening... I think we don't only enjoy (or dread) having their company again, but we also rediscover pieces of ourselves... While at the same time, seeing the past with better lived eyes. It sounds almost overwhelming, doesn't it? But when we find that these places and people speak to our soul, then there isn't a better experience. ♥
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI've often found reunions to be disappointments as well. I'm inclined to take the view that life is probably best when looking forwards..Nice in some aspects, if with pleasing people.
Eileen
I like the idea of being part and passenger. Your poem resonated with me on different levels. I miss friends with whom I gathered, and I am at a life stage which induces many thoughts about that river, and life and death. Thank you Susan.
ReplyDeleteA reunion by the river, it just speaks of peace whether it be with family or friends.
ReplyDeleteWow as I read this I was thinking of Sherry's poem so glad for your notes.....it is wonderful when these wonderful connections happen....this poem resonates for me as I am back from a long absence to gather at the river....love these lines as they were me to a T as they say!
ReplyDelete'But now, there have been years of excuses—
realities preventing many from
gathering by the long river again—'
"both part and passenger"---very profound observation and reminder.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful piece Susan! The gathering is so important. To mark the presence and absence of people--
ReplyDeleteI always see to it that I go to out reunions - to relive the past. Always feel good to be young again.
ReplyDeleteI also like the ecological undertone here Susan. Maybe one day there'll be no more long river to witness the next reunion.
Never hurts to talk about rivers and picnics and reunions. So what did I thnk of your poem? Astounding. It took me back to a river in my childhood where we'd capture fish for our own little aquarium and where we discovered an overgrown eel whose end was tragic so to speak. thanks!
ReplyDeleteO, yes, it's magical, how you, not knowingly came to the same motif, from other side, seems, but feeling yourself as the part of stream/river in both poems....and v.vers.
ReplyDeleteBravo!!!!
ReplyDeleteZQ
You ponder so many aspects of connections, relatedness, family.
ReplyDelete