Mighty river, full of purpose, between the banks, so deep and wide,
let your calm and restful waters ease the pain and hurt inside.
May your ripples gently show me, how to run against the tide,
while all the while, beneath the surface, your waters go where God implied.
Through storm and fury, flood, and tempest, you’re white and savage, wild and free,
yet, when it’s passed and peace returns, your waters feel the same to me.
You weather storms upon the surface, while underneath, your peace retain.
You never waver, flinch or falter, through the barriers, face the pain.
Onward, never a backward glance, never a doubt for the path you follow.
With gentle, endless, meek persistence, through the earth and rock you hollow.
Always doing what God intended, full of strength, purpose, and pride.
Ever yourself, never pretentious. Where did you get your wisdom and guide?
Flowing water, running smoothly. Teeming with life, joy, and hope.
Though your life never seems to alter, we don’t see you sit and mope.
On and on, you ever wander, over and over the same old lease.
Share with us your magic wonder, acceptance is the key to peace.
By Margaret Irwin, Parkes
August is Australian Poetry Month, and readers of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix are invited to send in poems of no more than 500 words for publication. Send your submissions to the editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. Other creative writing pieces can also be submitted to our monthly The Write Stuff column.