Notes About The Poem
Don't know what made me think of this, but it seems  rivers around the world are drying up or are being used indiscriminately.

It's sad to see whole countries thirsting for clean water and people dying for the lack of it.

Waterfalls, Rivers and Drought

WATERFALLS, RIVERS AND DROUGHT

The frenzied forces of cold, icy streams
detonate explosively on the rocks below.
Their rapid currents wreak havoc 
on logjams caught in crevasses beneath
the mist and rainbowed spray.

We blink in awe to see this
spectacular remonstration 
of pretentious power abruptly
become whirling vortexes
of descending splash downs.

But then, almost as quickly, this despoiler settles
and begins to accumulate in multitudes
of rippling bubbles and froth 
immediately bleeding onto the embankment
promptly losing much of its potential goodness 
swooshed as sucking sounds
into the wild soils of the firmament.

What survives roams free and for awhile 
flows in any direction, with no beginning, no end 
as the river turns into riverlets
Eddying on without any selected steering. 

The rains that used to drip down from the mountain top 
cry to see the diversions of the most glorious river 
dissipate and dry up knowing that the drought 
which has appeared can not adequately supply 
sustenance to a parched soil. 

For that sunbaked soil to be reclaimed
the river must continue to extend its reach
and water the seeds of new growth. 
and use its silt to fertilize the new life
that waits anticipating its turn 
in creation's timetable.

CAK 6-04-2012 Revised 6-18-2013
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Hill Avatar
September 15, 2013 at 9:56 AM
bravo......I love a good river poem and you wrote about it eloquently. the title really caught my eye also. we are kindred spirits.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Your words have depicted natures beauty with eloquence.
Kendrick Avatar
August 7, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Very descriptive and expressive work that you have penned..The ever constant circle of life..Enjoyed reading this eve..Sara
Delaney Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 6:29 PM
The language really reflects the roiling waters. Excellent. SuZ
A   Avatar
June 21, 2013 at 8:25 PM
I like the way you used the words "The frenzied forces"... the imagery there pulled me in like waters with no control. epic change, all around, and the cycle it must continue on and on.... enjoyed... LINDA
Anish Avatar
June 21, 2013 at 3:01 PM
You invoke the majesty and tragedy of the natural world in this poem. I enjoyed reading it! Peace & Blessings Matthew Anish 1
Anglesey Avatar
June 19, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Magnificent detail and imagery. I was pulled into a great imaginative journey as nature unfolds it's majesty. Excellent :)
Van Breda Avatar
June 18, 2013 at 6:54 AM
What a wonderful depiction of the abundance of nature and water, followed by the depletion of drought. Enjoyed this lovely free verse.
Anish Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Vivid description here! The last line "drives the fingernail into the heart" - which has been said about the rubai form. Soup Mail Matthew Anish
Koven Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Thank you, Shadow.
Hamilton Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 10:41 AM
The vulgarities of weather. Ever changing makes this a lovely poem TFS enjoyed it Shadow x
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