River by Ted Hughes

Fallen from heaven, lies across

The lap of his mother, broken by world.

 

But water will go on

Issuing from heaven

 

In dumbness uttering spirit brightness

Through its broken mouth.

 

Scattered in a million pieces and buried

Its dry tombs will split, at a sign in the sky,

 

At a rending of veils.

It will rise, in a time after times,

 

After swallowing death and the pit

It will return stainless

 

For the delivery of this world.

So the river is a god

 

Knee-deep among reeds, watching men,

Or hung by the heels down the door of a dam

 

It is a god, and inviolable.

Immortal. And will wash itself of all deaths.

 

 

by Ted Hughes

 

(Copyright Ted Hughes and Faber and Faber)

 

This poem wasn't actually written about the Nar - but I thought it was a good fit (apart from the pit reference). The picture reminded me of the Peter Keen photograph in 'River'.

Done