The River

Anona O’Dell

There were others in the river when I waded in.
There were many who remain on the shore. 
I observed them from outside myself. 
Their voices growing smaller and smaller.

I am not sure I belong in the river 
but I no longer belong on the shore.

There is something building in me that feels both familiar and unfamiliar.
And a my own small voice is telling me 
to let the current carry me for a while. 
But to where? 
To the next bend? 
Surely not all the way to the sea.
I don’t know.
But I think I’ll stay in the river for a while longer.