1. Story Of The River

  It starts with a few drops, trickling from out of a rock

  The rock splits, and so a small stream begins to pour forth, then there is the hurdle of the first dam

  The water builds slowly at first, but then, as the rock splits more, the spring gushes forth.

  The spring pushes the water over the first wall, and a small trickle streams down

  There we find a pond

  The water holds forth for a while, sharing itself generously with all around

  Trees above shade the infant watering hole, protecting it from the blistering rays of the thirsty sun

  The water overflows it's great bounty into a small pool

  It zigs and zags down the mountain, pushing the walls of earth further apart

  Then it is joined by another spring, and then another

  Soon the cascading run of water is a creek flowing forth

  They are joined together in a great bowl near the base of the mountain

  There they rest for a short while

  The earth drinks, and the sun gulps, yet the creek grows steadily

  The earth grows full and can contain it no further, the autumn breeze pushes the sun to warmer places

  The lake grows until the earth bursts away, and there the water flows out

  It rages through the brush, cutting away all in its path

  It rushes down the mountain, it's joy at being free overshadowing it's caution

  There the river forms and flows, cutting the landscape into a valley

  It's playful torrent quiets as it grows older

  The river deepens and widens until it finds its mother, the ocean, once again

  §

  2. Deaths count

  He came in the night while I was gone

  He took note of all in my home

  He counted all but one

  So he set flame to my abode

  As I strode late into the night

  The crows tried to warn me

  Tell me to be quick home

  But I ignored their worried caw

  Soon to be devastated by what I saw

  Death had left only ash

  He waited for me to go and watched for my return

  And upon the reveal I could stay no more

  Like a hero in my stories I was burdened to go

  So out into the world I would travel now

  Off to find the bird that once helped me to sing

  §

  3. My Poem

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  I like it, they say

  It sounds nice, but to me its jarring

  Each word and voice a harsh Echo

  But it's really just me sounding my worry

  I read my words and think them sly, but only at first

  Then I read them again

  Each verse more grating than the last

  But again they say more

  I hear the Echo of my tales

  Yet for me it's a record of shame

  While they clap and cheer, inside I jeer

  Unhappy at the outcome, for I just can't see

  In my heart I cry beg and scream

  And I wish nothing more than to hear what they hear

  For I look down upon myself just to raise them up

  For always must I be below, while they are above

  Taught or learned it doesn't matter

  I am here now read to write

  Though it pains me so

  How can I stop?

  If I don't put pen to paper my heart is sure to drop

  One rhyme here and a clever verse there

  Suddenly they once again cheer

  Left by myself I wallow

  Surrounded by such a crowd

  Yet I still feel all alone

  §

  4. Soldier Retired

  Old, but not wise

  And that's the way I like it

  For to be wise, is to be truly old

  But I am yet to be such

  Though I am looked on as so

  Surely it's not just my propose

  I sully myself in the battle for others

  Left with nothing for myself, a new adventure I seek

  For boredom is my enemy

  It seeks and follows me all the days I run

  For if I were to stop I am to die.

  But be not sad for me, as it's all in good fun

  Look at me now and I'll be off quick

  On another journey, for I can't be tied down

  Besides, where else am I to go?

  For it's war I've ever known

  So from one field to another, I don't care now

  I'll die in battle so help me I swear

  For fear is not my enemy, but boredom

  And so onward I go, seeking yet more

  For I still have a lot of life to live

  And I am to some, an unprecedented gift.

  I'll go now into hell

  But it's not death that guides me

  But the desire to live

  I can't help my self but to push on

  So until I die

  I must believe I cannot die

  But now for me I do not fight

  For a new purpose I shall find

  A family true and good to me

  And unlike my last one, this one is kind

  So now I'll lay down my life

  Not because I am expected to

  But for my family

  Soon, I'll give all I have

  And at the end of it all

  I'll be happy to be bored

  If it means my loved ones

  Are now safe and secured

  §

  5. Marching into Hades

  Into the maw I go

  The danger and dread are my friends

  We walk together closely

  The three of us intertwined into hell

  I walk the line that others dare not tread

  I go forward marching to death

  Bet he is my friend too

  A glance and a quick peck

  Death sets me free

  I walk again into the maw

  With comrades I move

  In formation we weave

  As one unit we press the attack

  To my right a dozen men

  To my left a dozen more

  We stand together to fight as one unit

  With my comrades I move

  Nowhere to go I am left away

  Off on my own I have to find my path

  Yet alone I am one

  For one is always none

  Without my comrades I have no defense

  Though danger and dread be my friend

  Without my comrades

  I have nowhere to go

  Rejoined again and back to the maw

  But a different gate I take to a different hell

  This one more personal

  We pass together again moving as one

  They are not my old comrades

  Fear and danger abound around me now

  And dread I have in my heart

  This time death looks a mighty foe

  But unto that maw my new family and I go

  And if we are to die

  I hope we can be rejoined again