I Find a River When I Need To Pray

I find a river when I need to pray,

when I need the solace of riffling light;

a river will take what you have to say

and enfold it, like a leaf within the sway

of ripples lilting towards a gray twilight.

I find a river when I need to pray

and only the burbling, swashing way

water overruns stones can set grief right.

A river will hear what you have to say

at times like that and let the glinting play

of sun and underswirl consume your sight.

I find a river when I need to pray

for the assurance that people, lives stay

with you even as they drift beyond sight.

A river will listen to what you say

in that hour and lull your fear away

within the gurgled draw of shifting light.

I find a river when I need to pray;

a river will receive what you came to say.

            George Lober