"OF LIFE....AND THE RIVER"

Life and a river
     are a lot alike

Both have their
   crooks and bends
and unseen almost-
     hidden places
with snaggy limbs
    hanging out over
the water to grab...
    or loaded with a
dozing cottonmouth

Either can have
     unseen logs and
debris of all kinds
      ready to roll
over things in their paths

Life has its surprises---
     unexpected shoals,
dangerous whirlpools,
     and mysterious
eddies...as do rivers

Waterfalls may be just
     around the bend---
and when you think
     you're "cruising..."
a fall may be waiting
    for you

Both can be dark
     and foreboding
especially in the
     night

River pests of all kinds
     with wings can
buzz and bite...
     and life has
its own bugs

Either can fool you...
     with placid waters
and calm times...but
the experienced one
    knows: "Be ready
for anything, anytime."

Life... or a river can be
    fun, with cool breeze--
jumping  fish-- and musical
     sounds of running water

and  both are filled with
     quiet happy places...
and cool shade.

Now and then one
     can catch and eat a fish.
*****************
BY MIL
11 January 2017