but the river
the river held secrets
we would fish and skim the stones
we would swim and laugh
in summer it was shallow
in winter it would freeze and crack
in storm, it became deep and dirty
our front yard would flood
i did not dare to play in it then
scared of what was lurking underneath
and i was scared to cross the bridge
but then the sun would come and dry it out
and everything turned back to normal

© simon whittle — 19.0207