a river runs through it

There is a river in my childhood

Where water flows slowly along the bank

And the grasses wave in the breeze

To greet the water on her way

There are trees along this river

Who offer their leaves as company for the journey

And shade to cool the current

For her long unending labor

And in my mind I am there

I hear the rustling

I see her unhurried pace

As she washes the stones in her bed

She moves along in happy sadness to another place

Happy to be moving, yet sad to be leaving

Wishing to linger just one more moment

In the sweetness of the present and the past

Flow over me childhood river

And let me see you once again

To know your coolness

To hear your soothing voice

Speak of peace yet to come

-Dan Wills