Poem of the Day: “The River” by Ross Balcom

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “The River” by Ross Balcom.  Mr. Balcom is a counselor living in southern California. His poems have appeared in Outposts of Beyond, Scifaikuest, Star*Line, as well as numerous times in Songs of Eretz Poetry E-zine & Review.

The River

Ross Balcom

I dreamt this river

into being.

I needed the passage of water

and of time.

I needed the sight of trees

and plundered villages

on the shore.

I needed a mossy bank

on which to rest my head.

I needed a moment

to remember you.

I needed a river

to be my voice.

A river to say,

I didn't mean to kill you.

I needed a river

to wash the blood

from my hands.

I needed a river to forget.

A river to undo the past.

A river to absolve me.

A river to dissolve me.

I pray

I never was.

I pray

this river

dreamt me into being.

Poet’s Notes:  This poem reflects my interest in the psychology of guilt. I conceived it while walking the Santa Ana River Trail in Orange County, California. I frequently walk the trail, and the river and I have become close friends.

Editor’s Note:  “The River” opens with a quiet, pastoral quality leading to the shocking revelation midway.  The tone then becomes haunting, and the twist at the end with the dream conceit is breathtaking.  Balcom’s use of anaphora moves the poem along nicely--like a river.  "The River" was first published in the February 2014 issue of Songs of Eretz Poetry E-zine.