River's End Poem by Thabo Seseane

They must have brought me to your shore
When I did not know you were not the sea.
When I grew taller and began
To see land beyond your flowing currents

-And its brown shoreline- I still did not know
That this day would come.

As I thought you were a mighty river;
Especially when we laughed and frolicked,
Tumbling at your banks - Warned by our parents
Against jumping in.

As I grew, I would come alone to search
For a favourite spot.

Some were for fishing,
Others for swimming,
Some parts had rapids,
Others, quiet ponds.

On many summers, I came to know your

Refreshing eddies and sun-drenched bubbles
As they caressed and cooled my burning skin.

Is it because I am grown - up or had
You shrunken? I did not know, but saw what
I saw: you were not the mightiest river,
Though the most precious.

Somehow I discerned your slowing waters
As they branched into tributaries of
New Tributaries;

That is till one day, yesterday, you stopped
Flowing and grew dull.

Today we all stand at this place
Knowing you will not ever move again.
Today our tears drip onto your
Surface, today we - are here to pour your
Only reminder

Into the Deep Hole -
Where you will not be.

Farewell, beloved, sleep well, our mother,
Our precious river; till once more we meet
In the Endless Sky.