Swept Away

I sometimes feel

swept away in a river,

arms flailing, trying to stay afloat,

drawn down and away

from the bank

where soft grasses

and small flowers

drift past, as my body passes

rolling gently,

impotent in its inundating powers.

~

I cannot see.

There could be a kindly tree

dipping a branch where my weak arms could catch it

and clasp, catching my breath,

ready to climb

up through the rushes

and fall on the ground.

Or, as evening hushes,

night sinking,

I may disappear in the widening water without a sound.