The River Whispers

You sang your siren song 
tumbled over the ringing rocks

"come in and play", you whispered

your gentle laughter 

dancing under green leaves

But I am tender, old,  in my decline

I have no use for silly water slides

"come in and play", you whispered

splashing gaily at the butterflies

Then I desired you

young buck in love, 

hard and ready, 

ramming for desire,

 ideal man of action, 

"jump in and play" I shouted, overcome

invincible,  the bold power of youth

in my present condition.

The raft was too tiny and small, 

the water too fast

to chance it at all. I relapsed,

floating bean in the shallow end

"come in and play", you danced, your

sunlight prisms trapping the water ripples

A larger boat might suffice

I shall try again, said my youth returning that night

pushed my blow-up kayak into her moat

"Here to play now!"  said the young man goat

She tore at me, razor water flowing down

tossed me over,  a foolish clowning drowned

"come out and play", her words assaulted my ears

violent water whips pulling me beneath her

One more breath,  I shall die from

Rocks of giants, hidden under the river ride

knees and arms flail, racing to escape her wicked course

"come in and play" she taunts me, 

as I lay battered on her stony shore.

Nevermore and never mind, Id rather walk a desert mile,

tame the mountain spine, or perhaps, 

take a lovely summer drive

In that respect, I'd even find wings to fly.

"Come and play with me"  whispered a grinning sky.

Written by Rick Fisher  2nd Revision  Copyright 9/19/11 

The 1st draft can be found here