Floating down the stream

I’ve been following the water

down the stream for years, hoping to reach the sea

bumping into the contractions and openings

of the riverbank across strange lands

kicking my ribs on the fallen trees

streaming down the river along me.

Over the time

I’d use the shallow waters to learn to swim

Then I’d rejoin the water flow again

Imagining a wide open delta ahead of me

Just as the river reaches the sea

The place I’d have to make the choice

Which branch of the river to follow

To join smoothly the open, sea waters

Unnoticed by the waves that batter the shores

To keep out the fresh water river altogether

Then I’ll know if

I’d be welcome into the sea

Simply by the height of the waves

Running outwards-

Towards me

Brutal or kind...

...Does the sea understand

that its life span and worth

could be worse

if it shuts out the river’s natural flow!

Perparim 2007