haibun

[Billy]

The River

I've become a ferryman. The river is my life. I've given up following its current to faraway places. I cross the same spot over and over, though I know you can't step in the same river twice. My passengers going where I, too, must eventually go. I only know the river, not what's on either shore. I sleep and eat on the one, and wave goodby to my passengers on the other, not sure what they will find. I tell them all will be well as if I know. I'm my happiest and most content, for now, steering back and forth across the black water. One day maybe I'll have the courage to disembark on the other side.

falling star--
whatever I do
isn't enough