"Along the Hudson", oil,
by Takeyce Walter

THE GREAT RIVER

(a sonnet starting with words from an old hymn)

“My life flows on in endless song”, despite

its twists and turns. In sorrow and in bliss

I hear this stream of singing, and the light

of reassurance sets a silent kiss

upon my life. Inside of sorrow there’s

a melody of wisdom that can lift me

up and help me slowly climb the stairs

toward understanding. I can feel the free

and gentle music of all life. It flows

in sadness and success, in hope and fear,

in kindness and despair. It knows

that harmony can quiet and make clear

the mysteries of life. Beneath all things

a peaceful song flows on with me and sings.