There is a child, I recognize it,
climbing from the water to the bank
on the other side.
It turns to look across at me,
calling back for me,
over the rush of the wide river.
No, I didn’t forget you. What more can I do?
Can’t you see me pointing to the place
where the waterfall waits, treacherous, high, and deadly?
It moves its hands, showing me not to worry,
directing me to swim a diagonal path,
away from the fatal fall.
But the current is fierce here, I know,
and I fear I’m not the swimmer
I once was. Still it invites me to come.
We’re on a countdown, this child and I,
but I think I will stay here awhile,
on this side of the river for a time yet.
I’ll watch it keep beckoning until it fades, riveted,
my feet unmoving, I spellbound by its desire for me,
settling on only solid ground for now.
Finally it waves goodbye, weary, it turns and goes,
but I will see this child again in time,
when I will have no choice but to follow.
* * * * *
Revised Sunday 04.23.23
A Temporary Parting
I recognize the boy climbing to the bank on the other side.
Turning, he calls to me, over the rush of the river,
points to where a waterfall waits, high, and deadly.
He gestures not to worry, but the current is fierce here,
and I’m no longer the swimmer I was in my childhood.
We’re on a countdown, this child and I, but I’ll wait here awhile,
on this side of the river for a time yet and think about the swim.
Finally, giving up on me, the child waves goodbye, turns, and disappears,
but I’ll see him again when I’ll have no choice but to follow.
* * * * *
Today’s word is
fear
Use it in some kind of writing and then post your piece and link to me, or simply leave it in the comments below. I would love to read what you wrote.
Lanning Lee 