In the Middle of the River

For our first post, decided to print something I wrote a couple of years ago. I promise not to do it often!! It expresses some of that "living in the middle" feeling I have. If you read the profile, you can guess that I may return to this theme again, since it's something I think about often in relationship to situations I find myself in.



We live near the confluence of the Looking Glass River and the Grand River. In early spring, the Looking Glass flows by one of my favorite sitting spots and inspired these thoughts a few years ago. At this point in our lives, unlike then, we have no "boomerang children" (they return after launching) living with us, but I do feel as if I am in the middle of life's river, juggling the sticks and debris that God has given me to juggle. It is an exhilarating place to be!



River Rhythms



Swollen with spring rains,

the Looking Glass flows

with relentless purpose

to join the Grand.

Strong and loud, it dances and swirls,

juggling sticks and debris with ease.



Water curves through high sand banks

and carves deep pools

with quiet eddies and listless foam.

In the out-of-the-way hollows

it rests, peaceful, saving motion,

waiting to continue the journey.



I have dwelt in these deep, dark pools.

Deaths of my parents.

Deserts in my marriage.

Times to rest and reflect,

to grieve and grow,

to let God restore my Spirit.



But these days I hurtle headlong,

mid-river, battling currents

that would pull me under.

Burdens of obligation and privilege.

Students sap creative energy,

their scrawled pages and my blank ones,

competing for precious time,

which passes too quickly

in a house full of boomerang family

and Mate of my youth.



Buoyed by love I rush on,

juggling sticks and debris.

I dance and swirl

over and around the rocks

to revel in the excitement and challenge

of Life in mid-stream!



by Linda Freed

2004