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The River that Runs Into Every Sea

 Sharing as part of The Sunday Muse #167 and in honor of old friends.



We came to the riverside in high school
Everything was laced in myth.

We listened to our steps
We found some remnant acorn
We went home and thought about:

The last time we'd find the boat

The last time we'd laugh over pizza

The last time we'd roll our eyes over Roger

The last time we'd have a sleepover

Or maybe we'd think about tomorrow
Let the myths flow out, taking their lace
On a tidal lurch strong enough to drag
That old boat into heaven on the river
That runs into every sea and port and planet;
Night, herself, as all the waters there are dark.

We came to the riverside in high school
And walked until we found the boat
And drifted on from there.  

This is the month for Camp NaNo. If you're not familiar, Camp NaNo is a choose-your-own-writing-project-goal month associated with the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) organization, which just means that--for me--this month is something of a thinking-about-high-school month because my project is a restructuring of an old novel. Or, just a structuring. Not a draft, just a month to get organized, refresh the characters, what have you. I'm hoping it will lead to a draft in the very near future but right now it's just making me think about high school Entirely Too Much. Much apologies for what that may mean for this month's prompts (sorry, guys!). 

Hope everyone is having a good week! Happy 4th to those of you in the US! 

-- Chrissa

Comments

  1. robkistnerJuly 3, 2021 at 8:17 PM

    Fascinating Chrissa. Good luck on the draft!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carrie Van HornJuly 3, 2021 at 9:12 PM

    Moments in time captured that lead to the sea of life we come to know. This is gorgeous Chrissa! I love where the boat took you! Glad you are doing Camp NaNo! You may not know if, but you inspire me my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SunitaJuly 4, 2021 at 12:12 AM

    You have captured time in your beautiful poem, Chrissa :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laura BloomsburyJuly 4, 2021 at 2:29 AM

    Chrissa this was a real joy to read - unique and full of surprise
    "Everything was laced in myth.

    We listened to our steps
    We found some remnant acorn"

    ReplyDelete
  5. FireblossomJuly 4, 2021 at 4:51 AM

    And after the bonfire on the beach, swimming, and that big mean fish. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gillena CoxJuly 4, 2021 at 6:18 AM

    Wow, this is fantastic Chrissa, a story laced in such amazing imagery
    Happy Sunday
    Thanks for dropping by my blog today

    Much💜love

    ReplyDelete
  7. HelenJuly 4, 2021 at 9:41 AM

    You took the challenge, turned it on its head, rolled it all over the place, cooked it, ate it ... I loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. qbitJuly 4, 2021 at 1:01 PM

    Beautifully crafted and takes us with you as the river of life pulls you along.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JimJuly 4, 2021 at 6:46 PM

    Those last times can get sentimental.
    Nicely told, Chrissa. Sounds like you are about to join our crowd.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  10. grapelingJuly 5, 2021 at 12:31 AM

    I admire your response to the prompt, the flow from memories to metaphor ~

    ReplyDelete
  11. JinksyJuly 5, 2021 at 3:55 AM

    The last three lines are so full of nostalgia for the past, while the future hovers, uncertain... very evocative of change from child to adult which everybody has to cope with in their own way.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ms_liliJuly 5, 2021 at 10:18 AM

    Chrissa, there is something reassuring the quest you describe when you are with friends. There is a feeling sorrow that things will not continue as they have been.

    Favorite lines:
    "the river
    That runs into every sea and port and planet;
    Night, herself..."

    ReplyDelete
  13. purplepeninportland.comJuly 5, 2021 at 5:04 PM

    Changing from a high school perspective to what comes after. Well done, Chrissa!

    ReplyDelete

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