Lead Me to the River

Lead Me to the River goes through the emotional battle to help someone who doesn't want it and even worse, doesn't want to see you win.

THE POEM

Lead me to the river with stars in your eyes

As you tell me about our future life.

Everyone tells me you will only drown me with you.

But I go anyway seeing the best in you.

Row me out to the middle of the sea

As we watch the fish swim downstream.

Look me in my eyes and tell me it was all a lie

Before diving headfirst into self-loathing

Strip your life jacket of stability

And flail your arms to get attention

From who is yet to be defined.

When I throw you hope, a rope

You refuse, saying you’re not worthy.

Then tip our boat over and cause a scene,

Disturbing my peace and serenity.

When I give you my own life jacket,

You take it off and let it float away.

Let the rescue crews go right by you

And claim that the world is out to get you.

Ignore all your chances of survival,

Anchor yourself to me, pulling me further from the remnants of my ship

Struggle to stay afloat as you push me under.

Grin with malice as I begin to wonder

Did you ever actually care?

Or was it an elaborate affair

To turn my happiness into sorrow?

Let the last thing I hear be about how I should have saved you.

When my body washes ashore tomorrow

Play clueless like you were never there

And didn’t cause all this despair.

You always did say the water was your domain

Foolish of me to think that you would use it to keep me safe.

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As always, take what resonates and leave what doesn’t!

With love, always

Natasha K