You are born underground.
So rapidly
you spring forth, we forget your origin—
except at the source where you flow into
pine veins, dark moss and steep rock beds.
Stretch marks where you emerge on your mad dash
to ocean deepen ‘neath your never end-
ing flow—always—we hope, we who flower
above earth’s surface with our loves and woe.
Under our skin the beat goes on and on—
or so we hope—we whose hearts are enriched
on air and water feeding blood and veins
and bruises, bursting forth to give us hope
and death. Always we
empty as does earth.
Why think she is exempt? So you, too, dear,
must some day end, but maybe you lift up
in vapors toward the stars and enrich suns.
Inspired by Sumana's prompt
Poets United Midweek Motif ~ River
Copyright © 2015 S.L.Chast
Oh this is a very lovely description of the river's journey. I especially love the image at the end of it lifting up in vapours and enriching suns. Wow!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Susan. I particularly like that second stanza.
ReplyDeleteLovely piece!
ReplyDelete