Lament of Water

Snow again this morning
after several days
of deep freeze. Slow flakes
freed from heaven
lay down
at earth’s feet.
So much emptying.

    I would love to live like a river flows…

This time of year the creek
is crusted, invisible
to passersby and their dogs.
But I have heard it speak,
water that will carry continents
at spring break-up,
downed trees,
carcasses of animals;
the elders, weak,
and dying.

    …carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.

I sit in my windowed room
while the sun peels back morning,
each snowflake is a white flame.
Oh, this relentless light,
how the day brings its version
of joy and sorrow.

How much longer, LORD,

    I would love to live…

(Lines indented and italicized are from John O’Donahue’s “Unfinished Poem”)