From November, 2018, here is an updated poem inspired from my reading of The Wind and the Willows, authored by Kenneth Grahame. The novel can be enjoyed by both older children and adults.
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Meandering endlessly and aimlessly it seems
Infinitely pursuing each horizon downstream
The river faces its journey, to the ocean out to the west
Bringing much attention to itself, without taking a rest
Being fed from above, by mountain run-off far away
Roaming bank full and quickly, with not much to say
A friendly, gentle breeze offers cool, refreshing air
Bubbles rising up from a muskrat that doesn’t care
At times, the journey is surrounded by a background of trees
Arriving softly, the whispering wind says, “Please let me be”
Green, lush meadows encroach upon its rocky shore
While early spring flowers burst with color and more
Young willows grow along the river’s flank
Tree roots hidden, invisible below the bank
A large, brown trout rises gracefully above the bubbling water
Meanwhile downstream, mischief abounds with a pair of otters
An isolated cottonwood tree stands as a lone lookout
While a hungry grizzly bear wades in to pull a fish out
Sparkles of dancing light, reflecting by way of a bright sun
Providing opportunities for fishermen, casting for their fun
The vibration of splashes from a pair of wooden oars
Announces the arrival of a canoe, searching for more
A small island appears on the bend ahead—quiet and barren
There is always fascination with what nature will be wearing
Pushing ahead, an overloaded creek discharges its rampant load
The water’s own noises sometimes sound like a chorus of toads
Continuing to drive ahead toward the setting sun
The ageless river welcomes the end of its long run
