On River Song

On River Song by Nirvana Hope

rivers to oceans

a river is to youth as the great ocean is to adulthood

the river is constantly flowing down, 

all rivers flowing down,

down,

moving constantly.

never seeing the same place twice

every person it touches

every rock

every tree

it only feels

it only sees 

once 

the river, 

flowing,

is on its own time.

moving on down so quickly 

we want to see the ocean!

so impatient,

our waters begin to rush

down,

down,

down we flow!

do not stop to admire

the moss adorned rock,

to marvel at the early April blooms,

to rest in the nook

of drifted wood,

do not wait

not even for a minute!

this river is on the run to something

much greater

we think

we are intoxicated 

at the thought of freedom.

absolute freedom

in the absolute infinitude 

of the water

lest we forget 

once we get to the ocean,

we are in the ocean.

still flowing

still free

still a part 

of the infinite

vastness 

of the deep waters

but it’s different.

it’s saltier.

different beauties,

different trials.

no longer a river, 

only a remnant. 

until we recycle 

back into the river!

but never the river we were, 

born into new waters

born into the world 

once again

familiar,

for certain,

but never the same.

you only step into the same river once,

but you always remain.

a remnant of you

is constantly

flowing

a droplet

a ripple

a grain of salt

in the vast, great waters

you are infinite

thoughts on a poem I wrote a few years back in Tennessee, watching the river's waters move hurriedly through the Smoky Mountain scape. Dreaming of making my way back into the River. But for now, I must find my way through these deep, salty waters. Finding my way back Home.