River Story: Voice of the Great Mississippi

I am alive!

Every inch of me....
All my length, all my depth!

I am my shining surface,
rippling in the wind;
my vibrating waves,
responding to both bird and boat.

I am my hidden depths...
the rich bottom
where silt collects and rests,
though I journey onward.

I am my pulsing shoreline,
in and out along my banks...
at times overflowing
at times receding and shallow.

I draw in my life from half a continent.

I drink in through all my arteries,
my neighboring streams and rivers.

I drink in from the skies above,
take in all that the seasons bring,
the rain, the snow and ice.

I course along through all my channels,
aware of all that I touch,
aware of the life swimming within me...
the fish, the sea otters...
aware of the fly-way that I provide
for the birds and water fowl,
aware of the grasses
whispering on my shores,
aware of the trees
clinging to my banks...
their roots bravely holding onto the places
where they have claimed their stand,
as I pass by continuously.

Never a moment's rest or stagnation.

For I am the great Mississippi River!

Life in all its extravagant abundance,
yet no respecter of permanence.

I can sweep away all in my path in a heartbeat....
in so many a heartbeat.

I join them to my own,
even against their will.

But, even I cannot contain it all forever.....
continuously relieving myself of my burden
into the great delta plane and beyond.

My life flows on into even greater life.

I am part of the great waters of the earth.

Through time and no time...eternally!

I recall....I recall....
“In the beginning
that “darkness was upon the face of the deep,”
but “the Spirit of God moved upon the face
of the waters”,
and I reflected back The Light
and I welcomed life within
and around me.

The eternal Voice sounds
and sends vibrations
that shiver into waves,
and my own rushing roar
answers in deep recognition.

The response of the River
that knows,
Even as it is known.

Writing and painting through gail elizabeth speckmann

 

The River Story Map

Created and coordinated by volunteer extraordinaire Michael Bischoff, the River Story Map kicks off FMR's silver anniversary year with 25+ stories of friendship with and connection to the metro Mississippi.  These honest and personal reflections portray the river as a source of intrigue and adventure, a beloved date night venue, and even an unlikely partner in tales of loss and healing. We hope you enjoy them and consider adding your personal story of friendship with the Mississippi River.