If it is just about water
I could answer the question
the floating and rapid
growth of pools after rain
or the mud that blackens the hull
as we pull to the shore
rivers, however, are usually
sandy bottomed, silt lined,
filled with random fish.
It is the stories a river tells
between the banks
river bends, sand bars
the occasional sunken log
boys jumping to swim
merchandise going to market
water crossed by a bridge, take sides
now,
the river becomes political.