Salt River ran
up over the banks
swelling its ranks
an army of water
became the flood of the century.
Salt River ran downstream
covering the bones of those in lovely, long sleep
sealing lips and dreams of soldiers, dead heroes.
Along its grassy green banks
Salt River ran bent
the carefree unknowing people
lead life content.
The people and the river
at one and with trust
Hung onto their lives
and did what they must.
Salt River harbored secrets
currents of darkness, currents of spies
the river meandered through a wild course
fraught with lies.
The rain came early summer,
pounding river, vast overflows
The people hid in their houses
crying out their woes.
Salt River was brackish, cold and deep
the people that trust no more
now drowned in their sleep.
This is an old poem of mine that depicts an epic flood.
Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink.
I love the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner!
Me too! I’ve been playing it on bass too (the song that is!)
I didn’t know there was a song, I was thinking the poem. I looked it up, and that’s pretty cool!
I like the cadence of this poem and the sometimes-predictable, sometimes-unpredictable rhyme scheme, kind of like the river itself. A great song to go with, as well. Nicely done! 🙂
Thanks Joan, the unpredicatable rhyme scheme is meant to be like the river. We had a drought that lasted over four years, then we had a flood that filled up all the lakes in less than two weeks. Unbelievable. That is a great song too, one of my favorites.
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site and commented:
By the lovely L.T. Garvin.
I’ve seen them IN he rain! LOVE CCR.
They are fabulous! I love their music.
It´s so beautiful, L.T.!!! I love how the words flow like the water they describe…just perfect! 🙂
Thanks so much, Sarah. A wild, unpredictable river for sure.
You´re very welcome! 🙂
It sure is, just like life… Have a very lovely and beautiful weekend! xxxxx
Yes, just like life. I hope you also have a lovely weekend, Sarah. So glad you dropped by 🙂
Rather apt reading this whilst torrential downpour outside! I’ve never heard the song before but am really enjoying listening to it. Thank you for sharing!
Nothing like a timely storm, it’s been pouring down here also. I’m glad you enjoyed the song. We call the band CCR for short, they are pretty good 🙂
Great flow to match the river!
Thank you, D.D.
I love that song! 😉
I love it too. One of my favorite bands!
I like this one! Of course, living inland the way I do, we don’t really have many rivers that can overflow their banks, but I can still picture the devastation (thanks to TV and Internet). You’ve captured it well — water can hide many a secret.
Thank you, Debbie. We had a drought here that lasted almost five years, then all of a sudden, torrential rains.
This was like a step back in history, where times were hard and the living not easy, Lana. I feel your sense of doom and dread, as the water rises.
So glad you have a happy relationship with a musical man who probably lifts your spirits.i like reading this kind of story or poem, since it makes me appreciate the life I have. No floods nor deaths, presently. . . (Lost my dad and all grandparents, though.) Knock on wood! <3 hugs!
Robin, I often think about the pioneers who settled Texas and what life must have been like for them. It surely couldn’t have been easy. The heat, for one thing, has been excruciating here at the end of September. If I had been a pioneer, I would not have made it, ha. The music man is sometimes moody, but other times he is pretty funny. Hugs right back at ya!