The River Poem by Knute Skinner

Go, take the path
that leads down by wooded ways
and beyond to the river.
Pass through the wooded ways
with trees full of squirrels,
with grass full of snakes,
and arrive at the river.

Once there, you can stand
or sit on a fallen tree trunk
and look at the river.
You can watch the slow, steady course
of muddy brown water
as it takes a deliberate route
toward the bend in the river.

There'll be much to see on the water.
Leaves, broken-off branches,
and perhaps an occasional bottle
or unidentified scrap
will float into your vision.
They'll record the river's calm movement
before they pass out of sight.

You can stay there as long as you want to,
watching the river,
and you can leave when you want to.
The river won't mind.
When you do venture again
on the path through the wooded ways,
the river will be there.