In the Roaring

In the roaring White pounding cascade I feel the love It flows over me, with me, through me It is me Wordsworth's "transparent eyeball" * Like the bare roots of ancient trees that cover the trail like cobble stones I'm Integral--I belong When the bracing water embraces me I don't shudder--I stroke it gently Glide out into it's energy Feel revived, renewed, invigorated Refreshment not known Since covid I'm hers She wraps me in her bosom Of snow-melt run-off And I am warm Not trudging from A cup of coffee to an unmade bed Day after day I am alive As wild, and free Timeless and deep Young, old, and wise As she The city beats I connect with kindred In the bars, in the streets In the faces that I meet But plunging into this heaven Swimming out to these rocks Where she reaches down from above Massages my back and shoulders With her strong gentle hands I feel like I'm her only child So much love she bestows Hikers climb down these steep rocks To see her glorious splendor. They line her banks But won't brave her icy hug Won't get in her And realize We are her Conquer and subdue Post an Instagram selfie for some likes Have a beer I hear her in the spray Spattering the rocks She's laughing And I'm laughing, too. * From "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson