It's TIme
by D.J. Murphy
Wait by the river,
see coming clouds threatening
to fatten its swollen banks,
feel in your marrow that it is time again
to seek higher ground.
Wait by the river,
watch the beaver gather wood and mud
to build its protective lair,
his haste a harbinger that it is time again
to shelter where wolves do not go.
Wait by the river,
recall days when this verdant valley
was charred then slaked
and accept it is time again
to know thirst.
Wait by the river,
see within its roiling current
its calming rhythm and patterns
and find strength again
in your ability to endure.
see coming clouds threatening
to fatten its swollen banks,
feel in your marrow that it is time again
to seek higher ground.
Wait by the river,
watch the beaver gather wood and mud
to build its protective lair,
his haste a harbinger that it is time again
to shelter where wolves do not go.
Wait by the river,
recall days when this verdant valley
was charred then slaked
and accept it is time again
to know thirst.
Wait by the river,
see within its roiling current
its calming rhythm and patterns
and find strength again
in your ability to endure.
D.J. Murphy is a poet and lecturer at UC Irvine where he teaches the power of empathy in business. His poetry has appeared in Last Leaves, Dulcet, Ariel Chart, and received the People’s Choice Award from the Art Alliance of Idyllwild at its Imagery of Words Festival. He lives in Coachella Valley where he serves on the board of the Palm Springs Writers Guild. He is inches away from completing Seeking Ordinary Joy, his debut collection of poetry.