Does the river apologise,

For how it flows?

Does it hide its strength, or slow itself down,

Just in case?

 

Does the river apologise,

For being deep and wide,

Turbulent and still,

For its shallows, and for how and where it goes?

 

Does the river apologise,

For being a nourisher and sustainer of life?

For being a place where things live and die,

Are eaten, are born and survive?

 

Does the river apologise,

For being wild and free?

For being cold and icy

And warmed by the sun?

 

Does the river apologise,

For what it does or doesn’t know?

For its mystery, its wisdom,

For its ambivalence?

 

Does the river apologise?

Does it try to hide itself, just in case?

In case someone sees its true nature,

In case someone sees it’s free?

 

Sophie Christophy