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The Origin of the River
by Yaul Perez-Stable '11

I follow the river
to where there are no birds on the trees
and no music to the water.
It is as before,
When the continents were one and they held you
as a plum holds its seed.

Now, I find you asleep atop a mountain
The origin of rivers
Your breath the immense silence of snow.

Awakened
You study your land.
Silent before everything you see.

Upon the wheat field you have imprinted your thoughts
Into the foliage your memories
Like seeds, they are taken everywhere
so everyone may know you --
So you exist in the storyteller's voice
So a boy sees you in the rain
when he is not thinking.

You have slipped between each man's lips
Become a part of them.
Until is is your name on every grave
Your voice we hear as an infant first cries
Your pen that first wrote
Happiness and Sadness
On the same page.