Oh, She Of Many Moods

She’s a lady of many moods
This river that runs by my house

Some days she’s joyful

shining like the sun
Glittering like diamonds
rippling and swaying in the breeze 

Mesmerized by her playful flow
I long to be enveloped 

in her cool arms

And meander along with her 

to wherever it is she’s going

But she’s mercurial
this lady of many moods
that change without warning
When she slows
I see the deep greys and browns
Of a soul weighed down 
By a heavy burden
Weary of the journey
She longs to stop and rest
But she soldiers on 
in solitary splendor
keeping me at a distance

with her aloof demeanour


Oh, this lady of many moods
many hues, many forms
that follow the seasons
In the summer 

she is a mere trickle
baring herself to all eyes
The monsoon draws 

a cloak of rain over her
and soon 

she is rushing headlong
sweeping everything 

in her wake 
Evoking awe and fear 

in those who behold her might

The skies clear 

she calms down 
and flows gently again
giving life and hope

though the end 

is now in sight

She empties herself 

into the ocean

losing her soul

but living forever


© 2013 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved