ALONG THE PATH TO THE RIVER

Along the path to the river

Chamomile tangled wheat,

Turtledove clouds embrace

Their soft grey diffusing with

The breath of the Mistral

On my open back as I walk towards you

Shimmering, River.

Here, on your armoured shores

Alluvium covered feet,

Next to newly leafed trees

I am winter, bare.

Gatherer in skin-her-own

Of things glinting from below, pearls for

Harvesting, River.

I glide past your banks

On my back, my side, my front

Purple-hued Dragonflies

Barely graze your filmy skin

Whilst I swim on rejoicing above and below you

 A backward glance upstream, the past ever

Fading, River

Your rain-gathered waters

Tumble, meander, pause

Take me deep, deeper

Open lipped through your layers

Down among the flotsam of your pull

Keep me there, my eyes open and

Discovering, River

Georgina Sparks