As a Running River

As a River Runs

 

A babe cries in the night

Lumbering through weary eyes

She comes whispering lullabies

Cradled in loving arms, he suckles her comfort

Hushing twilight’s call

 

As a river runs,

 the years pass by

Standing side by side, holding his small hand

Before entwined shadows

A mountain of bricks loom

Overflowing with colorful quills,

picture books, 

new-found friends, and hopeful promises

He lets go

A mother cries

 

As a river runs, 

the years pass by

Scraped knees

Blackened eyes

Busted elbows

Broken hearts

She will mend each one

With a mother’s care

 

As a river runs,

 the years pass by

A babe cries his first breath

A new name

Grandma

She shows her son how to hold his

 

As a river runs,

 the years pass by

Chocolate chips

Peppermint candies

Cake for breakfast

Secret words

She delivers each one

With a grandmother’s care

 

As a river runs,

 the years pass by

A fractured family stands hand in hand

A gilded casket filled with memories

A drape of sorrowful flowers

Wet with morning mist

A babe cries