The River (Valerie Bloom)

Listen to audio file here


The river’s a wanderer,
a nomad, a tramp.
He doesn't choose any one place
to set up his camp.
The river’s a winder,
through valley and hill.
He twists and he turns,
he just cannot be still.
The river’s a hoarder
and he buries down deep
Those little treasures
that he wants to keep.
The river’s a baby,
he gurgles and hums
And sounds like
he’s happily sucking his thumbs.
The river’s a singer,
as he dances along
The countryside echoes
the notes of his song.
The river’s a monster,
hungry and vexed
He’s gobbled up trees
and he’ll swallow you next.

The river is described as a living object, having their own attitudes and wants in life. The river is also described as having both their good and evil side, similar to human being. Human can be good and sweet sometimes, but other times, human can be evil and vexed. Thus that is a balance of natural order, as each complete things has both sides. The same with human, if in good nature, can be sweet and polite, but if vexed, can be evil and mean. This understanding is the referred back to the poem, as the river is personified to be as what it choses to be. Human do not have the capacity to control the river. It is up to it whether the river wants to be a baby or be a monster.


Download "Exercise 1" for The River here