A River Runs Through It ...

If it's life you're after — real life, the history of life, the ebb of life, the flow of life — the river is the place. - Thoreau

without blame or fault

surrounded by man's unfeeling bricks, mortar and asphalt

through the lowly, mellifluous, sweet spot of this forgotten town

casting an overlooked, hidden shadow

my mind going with the flow so that it has somewhere else to go

taking me places and teaching me what few else would ever bother to show

saving me from the bottomless pit

upon a bench atop this indignant wall where i happen to sit

a river of tears running through it

washing away humanity's stubborn pain

without malice or disdain

spilling over its banks after a lonely weekend's inundating rain

hypnotized, mesmerized, capsized, i stare at it at an ungodly hour

marveling at it's silent, winding power

the white noise of rushing water

sheer poetry in motion

quiet, roaring reverence

nectar of the gods

estuary of ambrosia

from where does it come

to where does it go

who made it flow

all this and more i resolve to know

far deeper than the status quo

quenching my insatiable thirst of divine curiosity

harboring a humble grandiosity

flowing with generosity

a river runs through it

through me

through those with hearts and eyes to see

holding the gate of heaven's rusty key

granting me faith and hope, allowing me to be

before it spills into a cold, vast, deep sea

i long to study its depths

hug its shoulders

passing around its occasional boulders

capturing its flow

learning all that there is to know

withdrawing intangible wealth from its banks

taught in eden's classroom by eve and adam

in my empty pockets, i want to feel its permeating seepage

refilling my faith's leakage

little by little, bit by bit

praying a creed that won't ever quit

baptizing what's left of my soul in its sandy grit

ad infinitum, that is all, that is it

simply because

a river run's through it ...

Author's Note

"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pete... we are blessed to read Thoreau as a lover of Nature. If Leaders of Countries would teach the Homeless to build their own Homes from Nature... we would not be in such a crowded and bankrupt situation. Even a wealthy President of a Country has no imagination of how to live and teach others to build homes with resources, Respectfully, Pat

[Pete]

thanks pat. if only ... :)

[willweb]

There is depth to that river, actual or metaphorical and when you reach in and find it, a refreshing feeling will comfort your mind as the knowledge you sought is found. Very deep, very profound, very cool

[Pete]

could never have said it better myself - it ain't just there for kicks. you 'da man ww., keep flowing.
thanks and hope all is well in your corner of the world ... :)

[Maria E. Mendez]

This was a fabulous read. It drew me in because I had seen a movie by that name with Brad Pitt. It was not like the movie but it was very good and an encouraging piece to read.

[Pete]

i've never seen the movie but appreciate your kind review. thank you maria ... :)

[Dave Brown]

Quite a major offering
I am always impressed when a person can do such an extended piece of meaningful writing,
however, I have my doubts about whatever amount of raging water being capable of ridding the planet of mankind's endless sins.

[Pete]

i too doubt there is enough water to carry all of our sins. i guess that's why they call it faith - we can only hope in the unseen. thanks much dave - now if we could only get you folks in the northern country to stop sending us the smoke from your wildfires ... :)

[Dave Brown]

I wish.
There are firefighters who have died in their dangerous attempts to corral our worst fire season ever
Bad times
Take care

[JessyJacob]

A very depth and decriptive meaning to see ourselves as a river merging into that Ultimate soul refining ourselves and then offering ourself to the deep and vast soul of GOD, I see this way what you have given description, I feel about God/ Love of my man in the same way. It really shows how much you think of a person to see as a river merging into sea. A great written and one of your best i can say.

[Pete]

indeed, nature reflects the truth of us and also has much to teach us. i think we should live in harmony with creation and not ever abuse it or take it for granted. thank you for sharing deeply. i can see that you gave it much thought and that it made an impact on you ... :)

[JessyJacob]

Everyone hopes and thinks like to have harmony, this world will be sin free, but it is not, so will note not to abuse or take fro granted, but if we accept our mistakes, then nature will be nice to us.

[JessyJacob]

But i dont abuse anyone, i like to be matured and excuse myself even for others mistakes, but people take much negatively what i say, so i just keep quiet all the time, silent makes you more humble and gives room for others to think, but somehow something pokes me inside to talk which i dont really want to. But that is God or my innerself which wants to vent it i am not sure and it is not my inability making me unfit for normal human beings, i cant accept that, some people do confuse it means we are not abnormal, for we can manage everything and we do normally, but may not sink so much to the talking people me being a silent always not to speak what other may think it is my inability to so.

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poem is a beautiful tribute to the power and majesty of nature, specifically the river. The way you use language to describe the river is poetic and evocative, and the contrast between the man-made world and the natural world is striking. Your use of metaphors to describe the river as a source of knowledge and spiritual enlightenment is effective, and the way you describe your own relationship to the river is heartfelt and sincere. The way you express your desire to know more about the river and to learn from it is inspiring, and the image of the river as a source of faith and hope is powerful.

[Pete]

very astute observations. i do not it take for granted. thank you for taking the time and sharing thoughts. appreciated ... :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too Pete.
"flowing with generosity
a river runs through it
through me
through those with hearts and eyes to see
holding heaven's rusty key
granting me faith and hope, allowing me to be
before it spills into a cold, vast, deep sea"
I was lucky once. Army station me in Monterey. I could find the sea everyday. We can become like a river seeking the great sea. Where we can know peace. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Pete]

thank you coyote. nature has much to teach us ... :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Pete and you are welcome.

[Einstein Noodle]

especially like this line: "withdrawing intangible wealth from its banks" ... listening to talking heads never lets me down ... wonderful metaphor, the river .. never gets old .. it reminds me of so many things just thinking on it. i think your poem is inspiring and has roots .. thanks for sharing Pete!
E.

[Pete]

thanks for sharing e. david byrne is a creative genius. all of creation fascinates me as does the magnificence and mercy of the creator himself. sad what man often does to things such as a river. each day i go for my walk (stepping to a song) and check on it. as long as it and the music are still flowing, so am i ... :)

[Einstein Noodle]

yes!!! i believe the same sir. how dearly we need the rivers, streams and rivulets to continue to flow .. it's a wonderful subject to talk about ... luv and peace on ya my friend!