Below Poem by Jenny Kalahar

Deep underneath ripples
underneath the muck
we can sometimes see
when the light or near-light is right,
deep below the ripples and muck
where the fishes never swim
where rocks thrown in don't land
or can't,
below it all
are the paddling feet
racing with the weight of the river on its back
rushing forward
never resting
never veering from its course
the feet of the river paddle and push
urging every drip
every swirl
every wet drop
onward
to the sea

And dropping leaves from maple trees
transform into oars
rowing the river
flying with the river
dying on the water
drowning as they paddle
giving their last energy to the river
swirling and dancing
cheering, advancing
urging every drip
every wet drop
to the sea
to the sea
and onward
oh, onward
this river
to the sea