River Song
©1998 Andrew Calhoun, recorded on Where Blue Meets Blue.
As I went walking, at close of autumn
On a chilly evening, in the fading day
There came a whisper, from off the river
From racing water, I heard it say
"I have loved you for so long
And I have heard your morning song
And known your arms to spread as wide
As meadows on my riverside
Oh, where's your footstep been of late?
Your mirthful pounds of wading weight,
And where's your echo's portrait gone?
Like time's own healing murder song
You skip me and then run along
You know I cannot wait
And where's the ghost, and where's the grace
Upon your ever changing face
Your steady, strong tattoo of joy
My sweet romantic river boy
I'd take you for a hopeless one
Counting seconds, sun to sun
Well catch me if you can."
The whisper went the way it came
A ripple twisting off like flame
A tear of joy, and one for shame
And I will wander on
This well-worn path, this travelled trail
This monument to flight and failure
Taking care to note the weather
Bald-faced moon and stars
Adrift in some lost galaxy
To hear a river speak to me
Or even to a memory
I walk on meadow's arms