River Dancing On The River Styx Poem by Maja Dezulovic

Here comes the boat and it's driver.
Charon has taken my change
for the fair,
and off we go.
I was told I'd meet
old celebrities
loved ones
and all the great people
I know.
Well, I'm on the boat
and anxious to see
if it's true
and I'll embrace them
should it be so.

I can't help but move
my feet
my whole being
shaking
and I'm alive
although I'm surely lacking
a heartbeat.
If I still had a heart
it would be thumping hard and fast.
I can't wait to get to the other side
of the river
it'll be such a treat.

Oh, but we've stopped
for a detour.
On a yacht, they're all waiting
newcomers like me
Charon stops the boat
exclaims:
'I'll have to leave you here.
You have fun.
I must go fetch more.'
It looks like the party is getting full
there's too many of us this year.
No matter,
because the party's hot
they'll want to join
for sure.

And so the music grows loud.
And the sails are up
souls are tapping.
I'm beginning to recognise a few faces
in a moment so joyful and proud.
We're river dancing on the River Styx
all have lost control
and forgotten that which became of us
in all this bliss.
Goodbye life
and taking off the shroud.

Oh! We're a-river dancing on the River Styx
up and down
to and fro
jumping high and bending low.

Oh! We're a-river dancing on the River Styx!
But, might I ask
I must inquire
if this is the prelude to the consequence
of a life that was dire
and an introduction set by a funeral pyre
what, my friends
comes after the celebrations?
What is on the other end of the river?

No answer.
Don't we know.
We have this moment,
Of lost spirits -
it's a wonderful show.
We may burn beyond
or fly above.
Either way, it's of no concern
because we're dancing now
we're a-river dancing!
We're river dancing on the River Styx!