River Depths

A feeling of greatness overwhelms me when I see any body of water. I wanted to share the snapshot of that feeling.

                I feel the same pull whenever I pass a river. It’s a strange feeling in my stomach. It forces my head to turn to the water, rippling gently in the wind which dips down between the forest trees. It calls to a part of me that no one sees, and I cannot fathom how to express.

                I gaze longingly at the cool depths, knowing with a wisdom how the water would feel pressing my ears as I plunge into its blue oblivion. I know how it would feel against the skin I cannot wear on dry land. I have wings made for my watery existence. I know how I can turn on my tail in those rippling waters, no effort to twist myself into the green ribbons holding fast with deep watery roots.

                I can become the flowing, unstoppable current. I can become the sinuous ripples making their way over the land. A trick of nature, it is, to be a flowing river. Away from the salty spray of the everlasting ocean, land locked but impossible to stop none the less. You may block me with your dams. You may divert me, or think you can make me stop. Remember, as you fabricate your walls of rock and concrete, I grow deeper becoming a frustrated lake. As you cleverly use boulders and wood to make a spine to cross me, I keep flowing. I push, rustling against what you have made. In time I will wear down your buildings, your stone. I will crash against you with rage as spring gives me the strength I need to finally become what you have shored against! A force of nature you have never grown out of since your body decided feet over fins and lungs over gills. You still fear me, because in your heart, you know I can smother the stoutest of men simply by being.

I catch myself as I take another step into the water. My wings do not greet the currents. My tail is nonexistent in this realm. The hollow feeling greets me, only. No sensation of freedom, no knowledge of the depths. Little fishes look at my useless pale legs, alien to them. In the coolness of the water and air my tears burn hot trails down my face, landing in the fresh river water, washing away hope.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

"spring gives me the strength I need to finally become what you have shored against! A force of nature you have never grown out of since your body decided feet over fins and lungs over gills. You still fear me, because in your heart, you know I can smother the stoutest of men simply by being.
I catch myself as I take another step into the water. My wings do not greet the currents. My tail is nonexistent in this realm."

Very clear and thoughtful what the narrator likes and dislikes. A splendid poem...:)...

[Boranus]

very great writing. you are magical with your words. you have talent of a great poet with the clarity of a great fiction writer. great imagination and story telling. my interest was held through out. I am intrigued and enthralled. shall anyone come upon your writing, they will be hooked too. Oh what a spell you have cast with your fiction net.