She flows, unapologetic of her girth,
does not flinch at barges scoring
her surface nor paddle boats laden
with curiosity; confident in her fluidity
she bears the secrets of life, the sludge
of our history in her belly, stirs the minds
of merchants, voyageurs, and children,
tolerates those who gather at her banks
certain that the final word is hers – no
boundaries can contain her wrath; still
waters rise and spill, she is dragonness,
nature’s force, and she is magnificent.
(Inspired by The Daily Post’s prompt: sludge and the great Mississippi. Photo from personal collection)
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Nice work – “the final word is hers” – great phrase. Love the photo too, would like to be sitting on one of those benches.
Thanks for sharing.
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You are very welcome – the pic is from Tom Sawyer’s RV park (don’t you love it), in West Memphis. My husband and I are working our way across the USA.
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I lived in Memphis for many years and know West Memphis well. Lovely picture (yes, Tom Sawyer park is a great name!) and tribute to the mighty Mississippi. Do you remember back in the eighties an event called Hands Across America where one Saturday people held hands all across the nation? I was a teacher then and our faculty came out and held hands with others on the bridge across the Mississippi from Memphis to West Memphis. Good times. What a great trip you and your husband are making.
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I do remember that and I can picture where you are talking about – amazing! We are having such an adventure, I have to keep pinching myself that this is real.
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Lovely ode to the mighty river.
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Thanks Kate – there really are no words to capture her wonder.
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A fitting tribute!
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Thank you!
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