The river fills the well of night
with water-voices, cries of birds.
Barges pass with firefly lanterns,
motors throbbing, towards dawn.
Comforting in darkness, shoals
of ripples lap the shores.
A solitary curlew-cry
laments the passing of the tribes.
the current carries shifting patterns
of a day, a way of life.
In darkness, generations wait
for morning's covenant of light.