
Living Life Poetically: At the Water’s Edge
After publishing “Until We Meet Again,” I wanted to write another poem that tells a story. A fictional poem of sorts. However, this time, I felt the urge to write something that’s not so much about a fictional place with fictional human characters. Rather, one that’s about nature. Similar to “The Fact of the Matter” but with a bit more personification of nature.
So, as you read “At the Water’s Edge,” imagine an actual river flowing into a waterfall–think about its natural movements and sounds. Now, imagine it as a metaphor for life.
Read, reflect, and restore.
At the Water’s Edge

At the water’s edge,
The river flows.
Twisting. Turning. Thrashing.
Around the bend it goes.
Wide then narrow. Rapid then slow.
At the water’s edge,
There, onward lies a cliff.
Anxious. Apprehensive. Afraid.
The water flows forward, stiff.
Cautious is its drift. Slow, but then suddenly swift.
At the water’s edge,
Now a waterfall.
Loud. Lively. Laughing.
The water’s sound rises over all.
Its mere echo affirms calm. While its mist spreads like soothing balm.
Quite the journey it can be,
At the water’s edge.
By E. Ballay
Written September 19, 2019


