when the river runs

hold me when the river runs

don't let go.

watch it wind,

see me sink.

hold me when the river runs 

to wherever it can't wait to be

rushing, roaring, rigid flowing

sudden stops -- please,

give me warnings

hold me when it all floats up,

when the bones pierce through,

when the gold is birthed,

when my palms fail to release,

when they fail to keep.

hold me when the river runs

don't.

let go.

I'll learn to follow echoes.

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CW 10 assignment - Picture poetry. The picture I got was my friend and seatmate Kristine as a baby being carried by her dad at the entrance of the Underground River in Puerto Prinsesa.