Tumbling

Lover, make me a river stone

worn smooth and fine

in sand and brine

by the grind and grate

of our love and hate

of all we despise and appreciate,

make me a river stone.

Dragged along the gravel bed

by the forceful tide

of the tears we've shed

polished by pain

to show the grain,

make me a river stone.

Veined with crystal

rare and fine

jagged edges

smoothed by time

I'll break your heart

if you'll break mine,

make me a river stone.

In the flood and in the drought

flowing blood and dreams and doubt

this riverbed's the one way out;

make me a river stone.

Nancy A. Henry