River

dark murky waters
dirt and debris stirred up from
raking the bottom
–
cold rain-
a dark past
muddied by truth

a time of rebirth-
years spent living in the dark
rescued by your light
–
through the water
dancing reflections
from the surface

born of the mountains
falling over age worn stone
scattering the sun
–
summer solstice-
roaring water
fills my ears

cold mountain water-
a riverbed lined with stones
tumbled smooth by time
–
the forest green-
a whispering brook
shares its secrets

a whole life reduced
to two dust covered and scuffed
satchels by her feet
–
cold desert night-
the tent offers
poor respite

rid of you at last
cut from where you’d gotten lodged
just under my skin
–
last year’s maple leaves-
splinters from a
prior life

through the forest glen
long ribbons of water flow
over time worn stones
–
white water-
children’s laughter
in the froth

great sheets of lake ice
cracked and heaving in the sun
as they come onshore
–
a cold night-
the ice in your drink
begins to melt

a long meander-
river banks bent by the slow
persistence of time
–
weeping willows-
cattails and rushes
bend in the wind

my outstretched fingers-
reaching out for your touch but
you’re already gone
–
icy fog-
your skin cold
to the touch