I leave, River Lone

I have visited many rivers

None has brought me to my knees

Even Styx gave me no quake

The waters of the world say I’m soul

Across and wide, above and below

Where rivers met, I went there

My desires sat in a liquid strength

My course flowed into your snare

You knew my name before I arrived,

Isn’t that why you disowned me thrice

Said without me, you would be deprived

For my boundaries flooded your waters

You wished to keep me in you, I see

Yet you knew we lived in a world apart

Your grip has paralysed my legs

But on these bent knees, I depart.

(c) Jumoke Verissimo 2010