"Life Is a River, Wild and Free"

  by Debbie Schellman 10-22-08

Life is a river; she's wild and free.

Will you stand on her banks with planted feet

As the liquid of life races by, just stand and stare,

Afraid to get in , to get wet, or to dare

To see what lies around the next bend,

Or to venture a guess where she will end?

The River keeps flowing, flowing...

Or feeling brave, will you reach out a hand

To touch her waters and let the cool sand

Run through your fingers and down your sleeve

Then quickly shake it off, let it dry, and leave?

At least you tried, you gave her a test,

But you backed away and forgot all the rest.

And the River keeps flowing, flowing....

Or will you wade in, up past your knees

And brace yourself and steady your feet,

Feeling her powers and resisting the urge

To let go and get carried away by the surge?

Will you wrestle her mighty forces at hand,

And stand upright just because you can?

While the River keeps flowing, flowing....

I will say, in my heart, that is not like me

To stand on her banks and observe just to see

For a few short moments, then walk away

And forget the River. No, I will stay!

I will be the River, I will become a part

Of the driving force that powers her heart.

Oh! I am the River; she is in me...

And together we keep flowing, flowing....

  My sincere thanks go out to The Runge Conservation Nature Center for the opportunity to show my work, "Through Nature's Gate", an expanded version of my "Life Is a River" show during the months of July and August, 2009. Thank you also to everyone who was able to visit my show at Runge and for the great feedback!