Free Slurpee

However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. - Thoreau

why does the river fascinate me so

this river formed so long ago

its course crooked but right

the hot, thirsty summer pilfering its height

flying for miles like a watery, untethered kite

babbling joy

faithful and true through the years

ignoring the eavesdropping of my aging peepers and big ears

cognizant of all of my whispered fears

willingly slurping up all of my frozen tears

all this, while a fickle current stands up and cheers

.

Author's Note

"The life in us is like the water in the river. It may rise this year higher than man has ever known it, and flood the parched uplands; even this may be the eventful year, which will drown out all our muskrats. It was not always dry land where we dwell. I see far inland the banks where the stream anciently washed, before science began to record its freshets." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Pete. I have an affinity with the River Thames and have done all my life. The river makes a wonderful metaphor for the trials and tribulations of life. Great imagery in this piece. Hope you are doing OK.

Chris

[Pete]

hi chris, i well understand your affinity. there is just something about a river - it is alive and draws me like a magnet. the current fascinates me and its rising and lowering depending on weather. not to mention the wildlife it attracts. what's not to like eh ... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Love the imagery in this.
Life is a slurpee, good taste, bad taste...
and the course of life?
Yes, it is crooked but right.
and it is a treat just to get to be here.
nicely done, Pete,
j.

[Pete]

thanks j. rivers have always fascinated me. i've learned to never underestimate anyone or anything. all life is a precious gift and all living things are related. even ice can be sweet ... :)