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