The Same Stream, Twice
A different stream, a different you
Striding, like a happy child
Squinting up at the gaps in the canopy
And whenever the trail lends a nook toward the stream
I sidle over and pause for a few breaths
.
–When was this?
.
Was it today?
Part of me is still there
And the years that have passed are just an interruption in my daydream
.
I remember a quiet parking lot
A humble path, a gentle rush of water
A small heaven, opposite the decay and insincerity of an expiring world
.
Those walks I took
Those moments I felt so fully, without trying
How could I have left them so far behind?
.
I remember when there was always time for a walk in the woods
.
And now, to see that little stream again, I would travel
I would schedule a leave of absence
And only take “yes” for an answer
I would book a flight and I would rent a car
.
But it wouldn’t be there, would it?
.
The leaves might still crackle and the birds might still sing
But my old knees would falter
My troubled thoughts would wander
And I might say, “This place has changed.”
***
I didn’t have this in mind when I wrote it, but afterwards, I decided that this poem is a meditation on the saying:
“You can never step into the same river twice, because it won’t be the same river and you won’t be the same person.”
This saying is credited to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, whose original words were:
“We both step and do not step into the same river, we both are and are not."
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Comments (2)
Beautiful and wise words, Kenny! I've come across this feeling lately, that I long to recreate a feeling or a moment or a series of moments and even though I might try I know it couldn't be the same. My therapist told me I like to chase and recreate such as a sort of going back to my comfort zone mechanism, and it came as an awarness, so interesting!
Oh, nice! Loved it! :D Also means we can't go back to what we were (if that's a good thing or not, I don't know). Congrats on being Vocal's fortnightly shoutout!