By The River's Edge

She paused her sojourn for just a moment

She had come upon the river's edge
After a long sojourn unsure
For what she was a searching
Or where she was going
She pulled behind her
A sort of trunk
A box with lock of iron
It's weight bearing down on her
Slowing her progress more

She sat beside the river's edge
Under a cottonwood so tall
And here she paused for a short repose
To enjoy the cool refreshing shade
And put the leaden burden aside
To forget for just awhile
The weight of that curs-ed box
And all that it contained
The burden she must bear

She saw jump from the river's edge
A creature bold and wild
It's fur glistened with diamonded wetness
It had a sort of charming smile
And a twinkle in its eyes
Her fright was quickly abated
When it stood, made a little jump
A twirl, a hop, a twist
That ended in a bow

"What brings you to my river's edge?"
Said he with a smile
"A sojourn long and tiresome, sir,
I can not tell you more"
He paused and pondered her cryptic reply
And watched her from the shore
Saw sorrow etched in her blue eyes
It was then that he spotted the box
And it's binding ties and locks.

He ran to the box on the river's edge
Plied the locks and chains
But try as he might, this clever otter
Could not a purchase find
"What's in this box, my lady
That you must bind it securely so"
She paused but for a moment
"Sorrow, pain, and heartbreak
And the darkness of my soul."

She found herself on the river's edge
The otter by her side
They both sat in silence listening
As the water's soothing sigh
Erased her travel's pain
Then he stood and kissed softly
The tears upon her cheek
Then whispered to her gently
"Then why not just leave it here?"

It was there upon the river's edge
She left the cumbrous burden
She laughed at the folly of her ways
Why had she pulled it behind her
On this journey toward the truth?
She bent down to kiss her savior
This otter playful and sweet
And as she walked away from him
She turned and was surprised to see
Not the otter but a man at the river's edge.