River of Life

River of Life
by Vivian Gilbert Zabel

Beside the woman, the river flows
Bringing images to her mind.

Lo, leaning against a tree
Stands her daughter,
Her long hair blowing free,
Yet, not her daughter,
Her granddaughter there instead.

In the woman's arms lies her son,
But, no, 'tis his son she holds,
Laughing, grugling baby talk.
Only memories of what had been
His eyes, his tiny hands do mock.

Beside the woman in a bed,
The river shows a man with silver in his hair.
Lines and creases years have pressed
Upon his once young face
Where now care and pain do rest.

The current flowing ever on
Mirrors the reflection of her mother's face
On the water's glassy dull glare.
Unbelieving, the woman looks again,
But all that returns is her mother's stare.

In the river, as the woman gazes,
Close the pages of her life's book.