rivers
remember
their way to the sea
swallows by memory
come home
across each beginning
to a time
without name –
how sweet each surrender
to places unknown

backward and onward
upward
set free –
ten thousand lives
to recall
mercy is taken
when all else is lost –
grace in desire
to fall

the edge of forever
but a journey began –
willing our way
to return
stars without memory
of a wish
spoke aloud –
long before night
thought to burn

. . .