-- Sweet River Travel --

John Herlihy

I laze and languish in the back of the boat

The sky above a dome of cobalt blue

I see it reflected there in the lapping waters

As if floating thru a river in the heavens

The trees stand tall amid temple spires

No matter what danger or evil lurks

The moment of departure already begun

The moment of arrival has already arrived

And yet, I lie in the boat as if in-between

My soul sits beside me taking it all in

Veins of light upon the solemn river descend

Light greets my eyes as another light answers

A breeze invisible but I know it is there

To touch my face, as a blind man explores

I lie here content in the in-between,

Something has stopped, a door has opened

Lapping waters and temple gongs fill the silence

During this sweet river travel in Mandalay.

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(c) John Herlihy 14 December 2019