River of Life



Vast and alluvial, through our tiny eyes it swirls,
Seems a trickle, a long flag unfurled.

Winding lazily along after torrenting and turning—
Eating the earth with its violent churning.

Leaving for a while its river-prints of time
Where boundaries are, only it knows to find.

Geologists and lovers see its chamelion grandeur
Of changing browns, greens and deep azures.

All flow to their Mother, Medussas of life.
Air, soil, and time—are Mother’s mid-wife.

04/14/2005