Castles on the Riverbank

Morning light on the mountain stream,
catches the eye of the child within his dreams.
The day begins, present and aware,
of all the beauty, he plays without a care.
Castles on the riverbank, a choir of birds in song,
picking spring flowers in the meadow,
filled with wonder all day long.
But the day is drawing near, to turn from childish visions shown,
the acceptance turning to questions,
it’s time to set out from his home.

Summer sun beating down, I hitch a ride to the next town.
Looking for work and a place to hide,
Don’t know where you’re going till you’ve been on the other side.
I’ve been on this road so long I can’t recall.
I’ve had enough, years wasted and angry
These raging rapids, nearly the end of me.
…Time to go home…

Home at last, tired I close the front door,
Try not to trip on the toys laying on the floor.
I endured this Autumn day with a grim resolve,
The traffic home from the factory a puzzle I barely solve.
My life has become a wide and slow river.
I watch my son grow up so fast, it makes me realize,
I know what’s important at last,
I’ll live this truth without compromise.

And then one day my son is grown,
He comes to us, says he’s gotta leave home,
I feel the pain my Father felt all those years ago.

The moon hangs low over the water,
The old man looks up as his eyes catch the light.
He drags the boat down to the river,
Stops to catch his breath,
shivering quietly on this cold winters night.
Reflecting back on his life,
memories fill his mind like a picture show.
Rowing out into the current,
he feels the boat taken by the river flow.
As the river flows into the ocean,
the boat drifts farther out from shore.
The gathered crowd waves from the beach,
As the mist closes in and he is seen no more…