Poem – The River of Me

I wrote this poem as part of Mslexia’s subscriber’s poetry submission for the theme of Rivers. It was tricky at first, I felt like I had to be quite literal. Then I thought about the river of my own life, and something just clicked. I really like how it’s turned out, what do you think?

The River of Me

2007

We meet in the darkness of the club, two sweaty drunks swimming against the tide of people. I think it’s fate – I suppose it is, at first.

We date and I panic, I’m drowning beneath the torrent of you.

2008

I miss you – that’s all it takes.

Three simple words and you arrive like a flood at my door.

We have sex, tangled moss upon a branch – we promise each other forever.

2009

We’re married, a baby on the way. The swell of life pulls me along, until –

2010

Our second baby rushes into the world – she is always happy (You are not)

2011

I threaten to leave, uproot from the life we’ve woven together like a dew dropped web.

2012

Rivulets of tears drain from my body, but I’ve forgiven you (again).

2019

You shock me with news, but I stay, navigating the ebb and flow of you, always you.

2021

Our heads barely above water we sink together, until the scales fall from my eyes and I finally see you, a toxic chemical masquerading as love.

2022

I swim against the current, our fingerlings beside me.

2023

At first, I’m drowning but then it slows.

I see the glistening light above, reflecting on the water’s surface.

2024

I may not be in control, but neither are you – I can finally breathe.