The Flood

Standing below the dam
the river's pulse in my bones' marrow

Once before I stood here
-- full of hope, brimful in confidence

Now
I stand a world apart

another love at my side, but far from him
a river between us
a past life I cannot share with him
     a future neither one can see
                                                 beyond the bend

Even to look at it is to be blinded by brilliance
bewildered by its shadows

And though the river
                                roars
                                      unceasing

In the distance it flows -- living water across soft-worn rocks

Anguish is a river
violent
          and calm
                       steady --
                                   determined to follow its own course

Foolishly
we dam it up
control it
turn it into something tame

But who can tame the heart--or teach love silence?

 
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