~~~~~the River~~~~~ Poem by Susan Williams
~~~~~the River~~~~~
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The river deep and dark
~~~flowing through the night
carrying flotsam and jetsam
~~~through the shadowy moonlight
drowning secrets upon secrets in its depths
~~~washing away the bones, washing away the blood
from the sins of mankind along its course
~~~lapping eagerly against the shores of mud
smelling of ebbing fish
~~~smelling of riverbed slime
upstream and downstream pulling everything under
~~~into the most relentless good-bye of all time
the river rippling over its shallows and rolling through its currents
~~~ever flowing ever streaming
ever burbling against the rounded smooth pebbles on its shores
~~~ever its dark lurid song dreaming
carrying memories like burnt offerings in its eddies
~~~leaving forgetfulness in its wake
River Lethe drifting thoughtlessly along
~~~toward the confluence of the Columbia and the Snake.
.
.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~©2017 Susan Williams.
I do not know if it was deliberate in design or merely if the poem like the river was swept along but the pace, the current moved forward in an unabated and undeniable inevitability. Carrying memories like burnt offerings, leaving forgetfulness in its wake. Ever flowing ever streaming. I could not help but wonder from what wells and what depth these words arise but it seemed that as I paused to wonder I too was pulled under by the stark and immediate and unrelenting flow.............superb in effect.
Edmund, most people would wake up in the morning feeling groggy and scratching their chest and yawning- -I bet you wake up and your mind is already reflecting profoundly on the dawn of sun and the dawn of life and your soul exploring for the meaning of the sunlight streaming through your windows. and your heart responding to the low throbbing call of the mourning dove. You are such a poet through and through- - - please continue to read and comment on my poems- -you are so responsive to words and thoughts and emotions. Thank you, Edmund, and yes, I wanted the reader to sense the mighty current of the Columbia that I am blessed to be able to watch rolling by any day I choose. When I walk by its banks, my thoughts usually aren't so dark but there are days when the river is dark and the surface of it is all turmoil and danger and one respects again its power and its indifference
drowning secrets upon secrets in its depth...I sincerely appreciate and admire the fathomless depth of your poetic imagination in its truthful parlance. A precious poem.
You have sketched altogether a different river here. Loved this beautiful poem.5 stars.
Very touching and thought provoking. A river is a silent witness to mankind's activities. To my Poem List.
Rose Marie--I treasure that you put this of your fav list. It is a very treasured tribute to a poem that you want to reread it. Thank you!
The superb imagery embedded in this wonderful write made me at close range with the river. Crystalline images that can take you back to yesteryears and to the present and even future. Very encompassing.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/23/2024 1:55:46 AM # 1.0.0.1119
There is just the right hint of Joseph Conrad in the exceptional poem. A river has always made the perfect metaphor for self-discovery. Do we wash away the stains and the sins, or does the river reveal that we are the flotsam? The confluence is that moment of reckoning and self-discovery may be a surprise if not outright shock to some. This one goes on my favourites list! And, of course, a 10!
Thank you so much for mentioning my poem in the same sentence as Joseph Coinrad. WoW! ! ! I enjoy how you look deep into a piece of writing - it makes the time and thought that went into it worth while. I love the word confluence and it tickles me that your eye was drawn to it- thank you for the well-thought-out comment- -made my day, Mj! And thank you for the 10 and a nice spot on your fav list! ! ! !