On a fall day in Central Virginia, when the leaves were at their burnt orange stage, I wrote "The River"... It was October of 2013 and I was feeling a little sorry for myself this particular day and sought refuge on a nearby river bank. There is an old ‘negro spiritual’ which includes the lyric, ‘gonna lay down my burden down by the riverside’ , I remember singing it in church as a child. It has been my custom in adulthood to find me a river whenever the journey of life becomes a little rocky. The water renews my spirit, it gives me strength, it reminds me that life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs and we must go with the flow. The River by Tina Garlick The river, she washes away the sorrow of today, she cleanses me of the past. To the music of the angels and all the birds that fly by, she holds fast. Just for today, I rest my weary body and prepare myself for what tomorrow will deliver. Just for today, I ...
Women's Spiritual Poetry