Riverbed

i am standing in a River flowing sdrawkcab.
wetness creeps up my pantlegs
as Water spits and splashes around me.
my eyes are shut,
but my mind reaches out
and sees all.

to my right, you sit
legs dangling from the bank,
dipping quietly into the water
(my water).
behind you the sun is warm and comforting.
the Trees reach straight to the sky
like a stairway to the gates of Heaven.
your eyes are closed
and on your lips, a Song-
a delicate whistle
that tickles the tips of my ears.

to my left, she stands,
arms crossed, fueling angry Winds
that whip and whirl her clothes about.
her eyes are hollow and black,
(i can almost see my reflection).
she is determined to have her way
and her dark eyes are locked on you.

Waves lash and spin
rippling from her,
as though born of her anger.
they turn my quiet Brook into a raging River
and my body is swept away
leaving my soul shivering and alone.

i want to cry,
but i have no eyes.
i want to scream,
but i have no mouth.
i want to fight,
but my arms and legs have been carried away.
i am cold,
a deeper cold than i've ever felt,
a dark, angry cold
creeping from her side of the river.

i start to lose faith
(in you, in us)
and as i do
my spirit s l o w l y begins to fade.

then,
(when i am almost gone)
i feel a warmth,
i see a hand,
and my soul comes flooding back
and my body is built anew.

you take my hand
and pull me to your shore.
you hold me, kiss me,
tight,
and the storm is swept away.

the Sun is bright,
the Birds are singing,
and finally i am safe
and assured.

on the opposite bank,
the storm has calmed
and we watch as she begins to cry.
reach out, i ask.
we do, heart and hands
and pull her into the light.
love and beauty,
you and i,
and she can go on living,
and i can too,
with you
f o r e v e r.