Laughter Of The River Wave

Laughter Of The River Wave
© Surazeus
2024 10 22

Since apple trees flirt with the evening light 
I lay my memories on the frosted grass 
which I wrote on orange wrinkled leaves of time 
to let the wind know I am still alive 
with sacred laughter of the river wave 
that whispers names of every soul I love. 

I see them all walk by me in the dusk, 
the faceless people I know must be real, 
whose spirits linger in my neighborhood 
long after they have vanished from this world, 
so with soft laughter of the river wave 
I write their lost tales on frail falling leaves. 

I build new temples on the grassy shore 
as solemn homes lit by one candle flame 
where all the nameless dead of every land 
who never earned wealth of fortunate fame 
may dance with laughter of the river wave 
before their memories vanish in the wind. 

I see their faces on Halloween Eve 
lit by affectionate glow of the moon 
who recites their name and tale of their life 
as they drift by in costumes of their fates 
to play with laughter of the river wave 
that folds their bodies in pages of books. 

Since the Great Horned Owl in the tall oak tree 
observes my actions with indifferent eyes, 
I map vast maze of myths on story charts 
recording family trees of ancient gods 
who rise from laughter of the river wave 
to walk alive in children of their genes. 

I hear eerie song of the Nightingale 
echo in groves of the Hesperides 
where ghost of John Keats lingers by the pool 
still gazing at reflection of his face 
writ in sweet laughter of the river wave 
with serpentine runes of celestial flames. 

Wearing painted mask of Endymion, 
John asks if I will trick-or-treat with him, 
so I wear mask of nomad Alastor 
as we stroll in Cedar Creek Neighborhood, 
inspired by laughter of the river wave, 
to fill our hearts with lost dreams of the dead. 

Since white horses flirt with the evening light 
I set my memories on museum shelf 
which I mold into idols of dead souls 
from immortal beauty of pungent clay, 
then breathe in laughter of the river wave 
to revive their souls in Elysium.