Landscape Artist

LANDSCAPE ARTIST

I was the first! When the world was new,

I did what all great rivers do.

I found my way by rock and hill,

This way and that quite free until

I bubbled up among the reeds.

I didn't follow any leads,

I merely babbled as I went,

Designing to my heart's content.

Shall I go right? Yes, there's a way;

I'll coil around that lump of clay.

Shall I go straight? All clear ahead!

Wow! I'm creating a river-bed!

Here's a great tree; I'll pause a while;

I'll curve and loop for another mile.

The ground is flat; I'll grow more wide;

I'll stretch and stretch from side to side.

Here's a gorge! I'll be compressed.

But I'll still rush on without a rest.

Finally, I will reach the sea

And pose myself as an estuary.

In time, when I am in my place,

Someone will invent the human race.

Men will place houses where I bend,

And think that it's a designer trend.

They'll 'take advantage' of my attributes,

Finding my gracious curving suits

Many ideas they have in mind.

And, silent still, I'll onward wind

Giving 'river views' to wealthy clients,

Who never question my compliance.

I'll smile as I follow my usual route;

A Landscape Artist of Repute.

*

---------------------------------------------------------------------



FLIGHT

Though the earth give way beneath our feet

And the coming day be hard to meet,

We all have wings to make life sweet.

So fly.

*

Some may fly on the wings of song;

Their voices may ring out clear and strong

On bell-like  tones they may fly along.

So fly.

*

Some may fly on the power of word

Imagined, spoken, written, heard.

Every syllable like a bird.

So fly.

*

Others may swoop on wings of art.

A simple line may be the start;

A splash of colour may reach the heart.

So fly

*

Others may seek the notes of strings;

A violin says many things.

An orchestra has gossamer wings.

So fly.

*

All these things can make us fly

Way up into a clear, blue sky.

Never seek to ask 'But why?

Just fly.

*