As mountain ice slowly melted in the sun,
through worn rock crevices cold waters run.
Tributaries merged together over the earth,
over time a large stream gave a river birth.

Began an innocent river making her debut,
over many journeys this mighty river grew.
Melding with the sea would always enthrall.
Lent herself to all creatures great and small.

For those who took the time to learn her ways,
she enriched life but stole some in her days.
Carved her unique path over years she past,
never realized one day it could be her last.

Old river runs her life's course to the deep,
as dried up tears, nothing much left to weep.
Her mighty waters once ran slow but so sure,
over rocky beds only a trickle does endure.

Relentlessly continued through the drought,
unquenchable desire left her without doubt
Searching, never finding a moment of relief,
flowing ever faster, running from sure grief.

Nature’s whisper speaks to her deep inside;
“All things in nature one day will have died.”
Her futile trickle slows, listens to the voice,
useless efforts stop, wasn't given any choice.

As her last drop dries up in the burning sun,
ever mighty river knows her days are done.
Memories lie in the sand, yet do still prevail;
One day man will tell his son old River's tale