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River of Time
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There’s no reversal
for the river of time
rushing into tomorrow
its destiny to find
~
Forever flowing forward
between banked years
some joy-filled adventures
others wet with tears
~
Our lives build no dam
to halt its marching on
We all fall as leaves
to where each soul belongs
~
Others have journeyed
shorter runs than I
it’s not my place to question
or waste thoughts on why
~
Some rivers are shallow
and lead through valleys wide
with paths along its shoreline
and old cedars on each side
~
Others tell treacherous
cliffs and jagged rocks
with deep undercurrents
o’er waterfalls to drop
~
Whatever wild river
we find ourselves within
look back not wistfully
where we’ll ne’er be again.
~
Wendy/2013
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Ian and I happened upon this river trail…
while looking for another one.
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We had it all to ourselves.
~
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Only the Lord was present with us.
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The wind had warned others away.
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But we’ve lived further north with wilder winds
and hadn’t given it a thought.
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An old stump becomes a mossy mushroom garden.
~
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This years leaves join with last years to become new earth.
~
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The forest floor is covered with life and decay.
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The cedars have stood still as many years of hikers have walked by.
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Giants are safe in this refuge from the woodcutters.
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Leaves are considered an asset here and not a chore.
~
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The river offers its water to all living things.
Jesus is the Living Water for all who are thirsty in spirit.
River of Life Blessings ~ Wendy
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I dedicate this poem to a lifelong friend I have back in my hometown.
Selfishly I want her river of time to outlast mine…
as I cannot bear the thought of missing her.
~
Beautiful photos of a lovely trail! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you, Steve! It’s the sharing that makes it a joy.
Truly beautiful!! 🙂
Thank you, Skye!
A beautiful poem, and stunning photos too…alone, but got the Lord. I know that feeling:-) Blessings, H xxxxxxx
Thank you! I rejoice that you walk with Him too… never alone.
By the way, I meant to write, ‘but FOR the lord’:-) Actually, when I committed more to my writing a few years back, I altered the words to a famous Hymn, and sometimes, to remind myself why I write, I sing it. My words are, ‘I really want to write for you my Lord, you’ve given me this gift and I am yours, forever and ever, I will serve you…’ etc. The original Hymn is called ‘you laid aside your majesty’. I’m not a practicing Christian, but I love that hymn…Blessings, Harula xxx
I love the depth and quality of both the music and lyrics of many of the old hymns. Some musicians have modernized some old ones quite nicely.
Wendy, I am deeply touched by your words and inviting images. Thank you. As Spirit often has it, my coming here is synchronous. I haved recently posted a poem on aging which relates to your dedication, especially.
Rita, I enjoyed your poem and felt it spoke many of my own thoughts. Aging has both joys and sorrows. Thank you for your visit and comment – so nice to meet you!
Great poem and photo’s.
Thank you! I always enjoy your nature pictures.
Beautiful words and images Wendy. Looking at that river and pondering on your words, the movie “A River Runs Through It” came to mind. So much you said could be related to the pathos and the lives of the characters. Lovely post.
Thank you so much, Don! I’ve made note of the movie title as it sounds intriguing.
Beautiful pics !
Thank you!
Spectacular portrayal of the passage of time
Thank you, Sue! 🙂
Beautiful pictures Wendy! I loved the poem too. Specially the second stanza. Great work.
Thank you, Arindam! I’m learning to write through melancholy and joy.
Thank you for sharing this spectacular escape from my house, Wendy:-)
Thank you, Bill! I am so happy to share the natural beauty of our valley with others.
Hi Wendy–your photos are awesome, as always–and your poem strikes just the right chord for me. I know what you mean about wanting certain people to outlive you. God bless you BIG–love, sis Caddo
Thank you, Caddo! Yes, I think we all have special ones we can’t bear to live without… yet many discover that grace holds their hand firmly through the roughest river runs. xo
Every time I read one of your posts, I don’t want to leave. I just want to hang around for a little while and enjoy the scenery while the words soak in. You have a gift… (((hugs)))
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Hope!
I love the forest floor, the forest walls and the forest ceiling ;). Thank you for the beautiful walk, Wendy 🙂
Thank you, Paula, for coming along. 🙂
Another beautiful serene walk shared with you … thank you Wendy.
Thank you, Liana! I just peeked at your latest picture of a rose – very stunning!
Blessings ~ Wendy
beautiful words Wendy…a wonderful analogy between the river and life…love the photos in particular the mushrooms are awesome!!!
Thank you, Heather! We get a lot of mushrooms growing in our parks and under our own trees.
Beautiful poem, so tender, sad. Lovely photos too Wendy. -:)
Thank you! Sometimes sad is okay…
Wow, what a splendid post, Wendy. Love the poem and the photos! Blessings, Natalie 🙂
Thank you, Natalie! I am blessed every time I read your prose and view your nature photography.
What a beautiful setting for a walk. And what a lovely way to honour your friend.
Thank you! The river is now several feet deeper since I took these photos. We were there just in time.
Oh Wendy! What a beautiful poem, a real gem! And the photographs are simply stunning, every single one.
What a beautiful dedication to your friend. I hope both yours and her rivers of time flow for a vey long time..
Blessings
Christine
Thank you, Christine! Blessings upon your river of time, too, dear poet friend.
Aub and I looked at this together and I read it to her. We were so blessed to think about the River of Life .. .and she especially loved the tree photos and the mushrooms! Thank you Wendy, and God bless you every turn of the way!
How sweet Aub sounds, Debbie! It blesses me to hear of others enjoying these hikes along with us. Thank you for visiting.
Such a beautiful tribute to poetry, nature and God xx
Thank you, Christy, for your kind words.
This whole post, pictures, poem and extra comments touched me. I’m old enough to be slowing down, but I thrill to the thought that maybe in the decay of my life some life might rise, maybe even a mushroom. And the rot on the forest floor takes time to be useful, and then feeds some incredible beauty. May God bless any small faithfulness to bring even small returns, even so small as to hide in the small growth beneath us.
Peace
I agree, dear friend, that it is a joyful thought that our time here may leave behind hope for beauty. A legacy that lives on to encourage others to draw closer to the Creator is my desire (and I suspect yours too).
We are of one mind on that!
Peace
So, we flow from A to B, pick up sticks and other debris along the way, and empty into a big pile of more water with more debris and sticks. How’s that for a paraphrase.
That about sums it up, Ian! But since we are more than mere leaves, there is a lot happening between the lines of that summary… 🙂
Well I don’t think a person really needs much else…God and nature just go hand in hand. Blessings…
I agree, dear Laurie!
What a wonderful hike you took us on! And I love those little mushrooms. many blessings Wendy
Thank you, Linda! Mushrooms are fun to photograph since they don’t sway in a breeze.
Wonderful photos. I loved the mushrooms.
Thank you, Mary! They always catch my eye too.
Awesomeness!!!!
Creation is, indeed!
I’d like to press all your photographs and writings in a book then publish all this heavenly beauty! What a wonderful life ! You’re a gift! Debbie
Debbie, your visits alway encourage me deeply. I’d love to gift you a book, if my dream of publishing one comes true, while I still walk this earth.
I mean every word!
I love the sound of running water…your photos came to life as I read your blog. Loved the part about not looking back wistfully. Thank you, Wendy!
Thank you, Patty! It is wasteful to look back; we have much to look forward to in eternity.
Hello my Wendy-Lee, 🙂
Your poems are always so heart felt!
So so beautiful and those pictures are breathtaking. The trees really are giants.
You live in such a beautiful part of our world. Hope all your family are well! Hugs from Oz, Paula xxx
We are well, dear Paula. Thank you & hugs for your visit. I hope you are enjoying the warm sunshine as we shiver in the rain over here. 😉 It has been a beautiful autumn.
Lovely pictures celebrating natures bounty and beautiful poem.
Thank you!
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Gorgeous phots and such wonderful words for your friend
Thank you, Melanie. Friends are true gifts.
Great photography – thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thank you for your visit. 🙂