River Hymn

The river, she opens her arms with wide gratitude.
Savoring shards of glass, and broken pieces of
hearts left behind by those who've lost all hope.
Deep into her muddy bottom she takes them on her
journey; Swallowing, pushing, pulling and dragging
She tumbles all life into shiny forms swiftly
sifting each into gritty silt.
Around the bend heaving over tree stumps lapping
secrets casually thrown into her with reckless
abandonment.
Again around another bend she weeps in a language
of continuance, asking me to listen, to look.
While I am pondering her vast collection, she is
singing her grief to me, a lone witness, as
I watch a body falling, arms pointed straight up
at a blue spring sky, her legs bent and clinging
tight to her cotton dress.
Then her shoes hit the water, leaving ripples
behind as she plunges into her final entrance.
Listen...the sound..... It’s the sound of hearts
and wings flapping up to the sun.



Carol Brown ©