Upon Losing Oneself in a River

Even the rock knows it cannot hold its place
in the glory of the river
always pressed along
as if the rock had half a mind to stay
With subtle dancer’s grace
a socialite’s sweet tongue
whispers against the stone
change, change, change
until the only thing left
Is the sweet river filled with new stones

Even the fish knows its voice is lost
in the glory of the river
always muted songs
as if the fish could sing so loud
With a sporadic operatic silence
a demanding toddler’s cry
change, change, change
until the only thing left
Is the sweet river filled with new fish

Even life knows it cannot stop
the glory of the river
always flowing through
as if movement seemed not static
With mountains cut by waterfall
as desert’s defining drought
change, change, change
until the only thing left
Is the sweet river filled with new life

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Tiffany Simons, Age 17
Onate High School
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Teacher: Michelle Holland