Peace Was A River Poem by Seamus O' Brian
Peace Was A River
When the gentle splashing of the paddles
is just a whisper across the memory
of a day on the river...
When the canoes are banked, quietly dripping
river's edge lapping, gently, only asking
for its beauty to be considered, not forgotten
Twilight shimmers, silvered waters glide past
hurrying after the memory of the sunset.
Laughter floats over the bank, occasional-
Forested children chasing the edge of day.
My chair settles slowly in the river's mud
Soon I must begin the inspection
Of firewood with grim nods of satisfaction
And just enough admiration
To sparkle the eyes of my son.
But not yet.
Soon we will defy the night
with marshmallows aflame, brandished
to laugh away fireside shivers
of chilly nights and tales of fright.
But not yet.
Soon, the cocoon-muffled giggles
will fade like the sparks that trace
the blackness of the star pierced night,
and I'll be alone with the embers of my fire.
But not yet.
For now I will pause for this eternal moment
and watch the memories of the day
glide by like the murmuring water.
Glide away like the days of my life.
Someone called this river Peace;
Someone like me.
Most wonderful penning, soulful, serene, for a moment my feet were in the river's mud and I was lost in time. A poem with an amazing energy, it heals the eyes, riches the mind and eased my soul, thank you!
I am so very pleased that this poem communicated to you so much of what the river gave me on that peaceful evening. Thank you for your gracious and very poetic comments.
I am delighted to discover an excellent poet here on Poemhunter. Such memorable lines, a masterly command over language, a deft depiction of mood. I am so glad that Neal who has been quietly reading my poems and commenting is himself such a superior poet. This poem rates a 10!
A very fine contemplative poem. The images are sharply drawn and the poem's rhythm matches the subject perfectly. Think I'll put this in my favourites' list. It is one to re-read often. I note the line with the embers of my fire and it recalls a poem I wrote about Virgil's 10th Eclogue. It is called Ite Domum Saturae! and is on PH if you'd care to read it. Virgil's poem contains that most famouus of lines Love cpnquers all and we must yield to Love by the way.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/24/2024 6:49:37 PM # 1.0.0.1119
seamus, i'm just starting to read your poetry. i became aware of you from comments you made on a laurie van der hart poem. for now i just want to note i'm impressed by the large cupboard of words you have to pick from. the phrase from this poem that stands out for me is cocoon-muffled giggles. nice! it summons the scene and is consistent with the scene. on to more of your poems, glen kappy