There is a bubbling River
But all she ever breathes
Are the bodies of my friends
With current strong
She leads them on
Until they're dying all alone
There's another one who's out there
At the bottom of the River Soul
My arms aren't strong enough to take you home
Tie us to some great old mast
Cause a sirens call is tempting us to her
My ship was made for sailing
And my heart was made for ventures out on sea
But watching you
Is taking all the breath I've left to breathe
Your oars are making waves within the soul that beats in me
All i know is we're one boat short
And it's lying on the bottom of the tortured River Soul
You decided you were hungry for a home
Even if the water there was cold
I'll light my lamp again
The one you strapped together when we had no fire or gun
And remember how your face looked in the sun
When ships begin to wander in the night
I hope they see your light
And start to come
I'll tell them 'bout the bodies at the bottom of the River Soul
And the loneliness it leaves
The sorrow that it heaves
Pray another man won't bury his tired bones
But instead find a harbor wher he'll plant his heart and grow
And leave the unkind winds that blew him here behind
Cause the world is just too beautiful
And we are too alive
Our pockets weren't made to hold the wrongs we think are right
I'd rather look into the stars and know
That though they hover in the darkest sea
They manage to still shine their silver light right over me
Meanwhile I'll stay living
With one promise hanging on my ragged sleeves
That day will always come
Whether I go search for her, she'll search for me
I'll go carving wakes in chase of weary, broken hulls
Making sure another man won't leave alone
In search of cruel waters that will lead him to the River Soul
This is a poem I wrote about people getting into depression and becoming isolated and alone until eventually so taken over by disappointment and disillusionment they're unreachable. They're rowed their oars to the bottom of the River Soul so to speak. It's also about my heart to steer people clear and remind them of the beauty of life and the power of a new day. There is always, always something to praise God for in our lives. Even if it takes a little looking and digging. Even if all we have is the promise that tomorrow is coming, that morning always follows night and it won't be the same as yesterday. Maybe that sounds pretentious considering I don't lead a very dark or bleak life. But I've seen people in the darkest depths, living literal hell on earth look for the ray of sunshine and let it guide them back home. They choose to throw their burdens on mercies shoulders and live life with Christ by their side. And I've seen Christ transform the bleakest moments of my life and make me stronger, wiser and more at peace. It's impossible but true, that's who God is.
His mercies are new every day. That's His promise.
Sincerely,
Jaelle the Hopeful
