The River of Life

I began as a small stream
in a paddy field
in palm and banana groves

I grew up
fed by the monsoon storms
mangoes
pineapple
jackfruit
rice
and curry

I moved
made my way through
dust
noise
drains
snakes
temples
mosquitoes and
beggars and artists
atman,
corruption
yoga and meditation

to see the golden gate
to the land of opportunity
to the land of mosaics of cultures
to the land of science and technology
to be somebody
(I do not know what)

Now I am a grand gemische
of Ganges
mississipi
Yang-tse
Amazon
and Danube

Inside me
as the time flows
emotions swim like salmons
while
my shore
is landmarked by
high speed computers
genes
molecules
hollywood gimmicks
guns and commercials
and el pollo loco
quiero taco bell?

Every moment
I renew myself
with fresh water of ideas
sometimes a lot
sometimes face the drought

My outside
is like hills in Calif in summer
dry and barren
withering the storm of aging
while the interior
is as innocent as a new born baby
looking forward to life
with wide open eyes.

I am a silent spring
a fountain of life
I know where I came from
but where I am going
and why?
I don't know.

March 3, 1996