– for Walter S.
Things we say
flow ceaselessly
as the river flows
through the hollow gorge.
Standing in the river
without companions
one hears the river –
murmuring, wordless.
How we hope
the things we say
will deeply connect
with those we love.
Old timers repeat
their favorite lines,
the things they said
that truly connected,
that made all the difference.
Because after all,
there were so few times when
the line was just right
just perfectly laid out
for that one moment. No
most of the time
it should have worked,
it seemed just right but
something was wrong
The timing was off.
The color, unnatural.
Missed connections.
Stories not worth
repeating later.
They murmur, wordless.
Sometimes a flash
might rise to the surface-
There — look!
but then it recedes
unconvinced
for whatever reason.
Your line goes slack.
Your feet are cold.
Stand in the river.
Convince yourself.
The trout is there.
You must try again,
speak again.
Someday God-willing
you will be an old-timer
repeating your memories
of a very few lines,
your own deft lines when
you formed the connection,
you made some difference.
B. Taylor, 2016