River

Don’t touch the river beloved
It is sorrow, pure
Strained through a dream sieve
Woven with memory
The river is sorrow
Made into thick ropes
Like notes flowing
From a stony flute

The river talks to me beloved
The river loves me alone
For I can whisper life
Into silent chimes
Made of the cruel earth
The river loves me for that
And pays me back
In the dabs of silver
Streaking your hair
With each ageing day

Beloved, let me drink
My red crusted river
Like hungry stones
Wetting themselves
With silent tears