The Quiet River

I remember
my feet stretched into the cold,
dirty water back home,
mud swirling
between each toe, 
alone with singular
thoughts,
none of them
uninvited.

But without
that intrusion,
without dark night
under the melting,
hot moon,
mystery and fear,
bitter wine and cigar,
freedom of the naïve,
I would have known 
none of you,
and never sought your
forgiveness
before the sun rose.

I arrive today
between 
the tempests, 
a modest look 
at the mirror, 
quiet again, nothing more. 

And in that 
quiet way,
a worker,
a father, believer,
and friend,
I approach 
the eternal questions,
the river only a memory now,
and still,
it is present,
with all of those questions and answers
beneath my feet,
when I was alone,
no voice interrupting
my late night tv dinners
by the streams.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Gupta Avatar
September 21, 2016 at 6:05 AM
Nice poem ... I too have a river that flows in my veins with its source in infancy ...
Raha Avatar
September 21, 2016 at 2:13 AM
Just Brilliant, each line is very powerful and the metaphor is outstanding. A very satisfying read this morning John.
Byrd Avatar
September 21, 2016 at 2:14 AM
Much obliged Miraj! Thanks indeed.
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