"The River"
(1-15-01)

My life is a river.
FUll of twists and turns
Rapids and still waters
It winds its way through the landscape;
Leading out into the unknown...
Ever-flowing, ever-still,
Ever-changing, ever-constant.
It is always the same, yet never the same.
Taking on more, giving off some;
Growing richer at every turn.
At times it carried others along
At others it is the carried one-
In the memories of those who've enjoyed its presence.
It will go on, though to who knows where
Always moving and always steady
With a strength and gentleness that will not fade.
Perhaps, one day, you will come across this river
And sit by its side and enjoy its company.
As you take it in - its beauty and its calm-
Notice how it becomes a part of you
Because you are a part of it.

As the flowing stream eases your heart and mind
And the cool, refreshing water renews your spirit,
Remember YOUR river.
Feed it with a pure water and set it free
To flow wherever it will
With the endurance for the rapids
And the patience for the trickling streams
So that though the waters may seem too rough
You may make through
And flow on towards the sunset forever!