The River Soul

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