the river

RIVER’S WAY

The white robe unfurls around me like a bed on the surface of the river. My face is wrapped in cloth, and I am asleep. The river carries my body.

THE CALL

Another me crawls onto a flat stone above the waterfall. Hand raised, this other me crouches and wordlessly calls. But I have no answer. There is nothing to do or say. I am asleep on the river.

THE FALL

My body spills over the waterfall. As I drop, my arms spread in angel hope to guide me. I smack the granite below the fall and gulp the surface for air.

The cloth is gone from my face. I stand against the river. Clawing the granite, I climb the waterfall and rise.

In seconds, breathing hard, I clutch moss-covered stones in shallow water. I am awake, and I stand above the fall.