The river will not be pushed
nor outrun – still I try
shattered pieces of my efforts
littering her banks…
Illness teaches that I cannot
flow with or keep up, but…
openness counts…the river
brings and she takes away
I am witness, beneficiary,
a voice, for her bounty, her power
Life is the river. It brings opportunity-
I partake or not; it moves on.
No use building walls; better to stand
at the edge with heart and mind willing.
Supper dishes abandoned,
we cruise the backroads,
destination: river’s edge
A muskrat creates ripples
distorting mirror images
disappears into murky unknown
A canoe glides by,
occupant a silhouette
in the golden sun’s descent
We linger in the warmth
of the fading glow, celebrating
summer’s gracious moments.
(Image my own)
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 humanity in her belly –
stirs the minds of merchants, and children,
tolerates those who gather at her banks.
The final word is hers – she knows –
no boundaries can contain her wrath
still waters rise and spill;
she is a dragon
Nature’s force,
and she is magnificent.
(‘Mississippi’ first appeared here in November, 2017.
Image my own. Not the Mississippi.)
Tell my woes to River
she listens graciously
an empathic mirror
Not so the Jackdaw
whose arrogant clattering
derides self-pity
Slaps me conscious
for I am victim, yes, and
if not careful, abuser.
(Tuesdays, I borrow from Twitter @Vjknuton.
Image my own)
Nightfall, river calls
tranquility leaves footprints
on my soul, this life
seldom calm, craves redemption –
river throws calm and I fetch.
(Image my own)
Even the river bleeds
fiery frigid essence
Earth’s watery voice.
**
It is the river
that calls, waters
flowing through my veins
and I, the banks
steadfast and holding
the razor sharp edges
like liquid steel
erode my earthen postures
challenging…
blessedly challenging…
the hardened places.
(Water: Haiku and Free Verse first appeared here in June of 2018. It is has been edited for this version. Image my own.)
Evening beckons
sun’s fiery glow
mocks my unrest
I am knee deep
in river’s flow
no more than
sediment beneath
human craving –
Earth’s healing
a welcome touch.
Quiet now, places
harbouring my memories –
river dreamcatcher –
nostalgia floats on swan’s back
past bridges linking time lapsed.
(Tuesdays I borrow from my Twitter account #Vjknutson. Image my own)
All is movement
all is change
Why then am I stuck
a rock holding its ground?
Each moment flows
into the next
then is gone
Calm unsettles me
I stand upon the bank
and search for rapids
Let go of worry
trust process
Life is a river
Take me to that river
bathe me in faith
for now, I fear the flow.
Idleness is not a ploy
asserted by the river,
her banks, ever vital,
project confidence –
life’s continuum
Her waters, sturdy,
fluctuating, tame
the deepest emotions
I come to the river
hoping to imbibe,
to be intoxicated
in her presence
I come to the river
to be revived.
One Woman's Quest 