Valerie
The desperate eyes
pools of water clean.
The river of her past
I must travel upstream.
In a moment of time
I am placed in a boat.
Oars are my hands
I must not float.
I set my heart
against the flow.
Through snares and branches
‘tis her I must know.
Round each bend
I push my boat.
My arms are tired
I must never float.
Sometimes raging
through rapids I go.
Then tranquil and calm
‘tis her I must know.
The rushing sound
a waterfall near.
I know this place
I have seen this fear.
The torrent of water
an impassable wall.
How did she survive?
such a fall.
A waterfall
I cannot ascend.
To shore I row
‘round the next bend.
I carry my boat
through jungle deep.
Up up the
mountain steep.
I reach the top
to see a lake.
Still and calm
without a wake.
There is current here
a secret flow.
Pulling you back
to what is below.
I strain my arms
and push my boat.
Hands blistered and torn
I start to float.
I know the fall
that will come.
‘could she have known
what could she have done?
I close my eyes
and feel the fear.
But see the face
that brought me here.
With longing now
I strain my heart.
To see the eyes
at the start.
I push I fight
my life is spent.
Madness takes me
my clothes are rent.
I wildly thrash
and move my boat.
‘gainst the flow
I will not float!
I break through
the barrier unseen.
I am near
I rest I dream.
Then I see
my longing found
Where two black pools
and love abound.
Copyright © Paul Birch | Year Posted 2014
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