The Sand Hill Review            http://www.sandhillreview.org             2004

 

River Song

(for Mary)

 

The river sings as it hurtles on

and I think of you, remembering

how I lingered in the shadow

that last morning years ago.

 

I think of you, remembering

the empty vase in my hand,

that last morning years ago,

as I watched you on the riverbank,

 

empty vase in hand,

where I had been only moments before.

As I watched you on the riverbank,

you reached out your arm and,

 

where I had been only moments before,

and just as I had done,

reached out your arm and

dropped your dying flowers one by one.

 

Just as I had done.

The river took our withered offerings,

our dying flowers dropping one by one.

We went our ways.

 

The river took our withered offerings

and still your presence lingers

though we went our ways.

I hear you in the hurtle of its song.

 

Maureen Eppstein