Ride The Sacred River Poem by Mari Martin

I stand watching with wonder.
High above white wings catch the sun
to cast shadows across my eyes.
Ripples in the water flow and fold behind me
as I drift
past offered marigolds.

Ahead, trees bend in the breeze.
I feel the movement of current quickening
as it traverses Mother Earth's paths.
Almost unoticed, the foam rises
curling in and out of the crevaces
as it swirls around rocks.

I close my eyes, listening
as my heart beats with a rythmic echo.
Voices rise and fall,
songs in the water
of journies begun, journies ended,
songs of joy, songs of sorrow,
songs of departing, songs of homecoming.

Strands of hair dance in the wind
keeping time with the swish against bow.
Blue sky is tinged with sun's awakening.
as the smoke from distant fires speak of greetings.

Swiftly the water courses
through the narrowed shores.
Swaying with the movements,
I glide across the waves that carry me.

Since before time have we flowed with the water,
feeling it's power, knowing it's song,
Understanding it's blessings.

Now, as I move with the water,
I feel it call my name,
telling me of it's life,
sharing stories of those I follow.

It is I who sing now,
giving thanks for it's bounties,
honoring it's power,
asking it's forgiveness
of those who have forgotten.

I offer my prayers that I might always know
what it shares with me,
the water,
the food,
the beauty.

I am humbled
as I ride the sacred river,
giver of life.