Saturday, May 03, 2008

Flowing Stream


I am River.
I am Movement in the River of Time
I flow from the Rock, and wear it down
I give life to the Forest and Flower and Bird
I destroy and I build as I pass from mountain to sea
I change the face of the Earth.
The burbling water flows over rocks, while birds sing in the background, and the sun leaves dapples of shade and light. It doesn't get much better than this. Although the Red River flows through the Gorge, water is not the primary eroder of the rocks. Rock Bridge is the only bridge that was actually formed by a stream. The stream also makes a waterfall, which is the perfect place to eat lunch and cool your feet if the day is hot.

Stream life includes fish fingerlings (trout, someone said), and small creatures we could not identify. Freshwater eels? Water snakes? Really long pollywogs? Your guess is as good as mine, or probably better. I always estimated the flood level of a stream by the height of the leaves caught in brances along the shore. This stream was in a rather narrow valley, and the dead leaves hung in the branches a good 15 feet above our heads in places. When there is a flash flood, this is not a place to be.

Listen to the song of the stream. It soothes whatever worries you may have, and puts them into perspective.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your blog. The stuff from Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge was beautiful and informative. Like the video clips!