River of Sorrow

River of Sorrow

Let the moonlit river run away,
chasing shadows in shades of gray.
The river flows in silence by,
on a lonely bank I sit and cry.

I know the worst is yet to come
at mercy's end when day is done.
Flowing along its twisting way,
kissing moon beams as they play.

A sentinel in a windless sail,
the hated master of those who wail.
On board his gentle rolling ship,
freedom lost at the end of a whip.

Ankles bleed from these heavy chains,
glanced back to the river as they came.
Now I'm gone but my river's there
and laps its banks with tender care.

Everything I've loved is all gone.
I'll miss the river's peaceful song
and learn to fear the whip's loud crack
as it rips the skin upon my back.

All that remains are the memories
of a river flowing through the trees.
Sweet thoughts and dreams of yesterday
as moon beams on my river play.