Down By The River Poem by MacGregor Tagliaferro

Full moon reflected on ripplin' water
She walked carefully over to a rock
Raised up her skirt and sat down
And let her feet soak in the cool water
He walked over and sat down beside her
'That feels so good. Won't you join me.'
He proceeded to remove boots and socks
'Do you really find women so puzzlin'? '
'No. I believe I have just had bad luck.'
'What was it you wanted from women? '
'Well, more than the bright, brief moments,
Much as I love 'em, I think I'm lookin'
For a muse, a partner, a companion,
For somebody to keep me warm at night.'
She swirled her feet in circles and waited
'I would like to have known once in my life
That I was truly loved and deeply loved
By a woman with a strong and true heart.'
'I see you're quite the romantic cowboy.'
'Absolutely. But I'm talkin' about
Somethin' beyond romance, somethin' deeper.
Where there's no he or she or you or me.
Ain't no yours or mine; just two bein' one.'
'Sounds nice. So you believe it can happen? '
'I believe it does for the lucky few.
It happened to Uncle Ben and Nancy.'
'But not to most folks? The unlucky ones? '
'No. That's why there's way too many scarred
And scared people runnin' around today.'
'And you? You don't seem all scarred and scared.'
'Oh, I can get spooked. But don't tell anyone.'
'Really? When? ' He paused to gather his words.
'Oh ever once in a while, when it's dark.
Early of a mornin' or late at night,
When there ain't no foolin' yourself about
What you've done and what you have not done.'
'What do you do? How do you cope? '
'I seek solace in the skies; a sunrise,
The moon and stars, they bring comfort.
Or, I read. I have read a lot of books.'
They sat there for a moment in silence.
'So, have you given up on us women? '
'No. But I figure I got about as much
Chance of findin' love as becomin' Pope.'
She laughed. 'You don't seem like the Pope type.'
He smiled. 'You have a great laugh. Shall we go? '
When she was ready he helped her stand up.
They stood there silent. He reached for her face.
He lightly traced her hairline all the way
From her forehead down and around her ear.
He held her head in his hands and drew her
To him, kissed her forehead and whispered,
'You are a rare woman, you really are.'
She held on restin' her head on his chest
She took off his hat, untied his kerchief,
Opened his shirt and unbuttoned her dress
Their clothes fell willingly around their feet
He lay on the meadow grass and shivered
And when he felt her body next to his,
He shivered again and pulled her to him
She rolled on top of him and arched her back
He could not see her face but he did see
Orion in the night sky behind her
Framin' her head; a celestial crown
He shook again. She kisssed his face,
Held her lips to his ear and soothed him
They moved in a rhythm that was older
Than the river that ran beside them
They moved together, givin' in to it
They gave themselves to the pleasure
They were makin' without reservation
And he let himself let go, finally
He let down all the walls and barriers
He had spent a lifetime buildin'
And he held on to her
As he had never held on to anyone
Or anything in his life
And their tears flowed together,
Down by the river

© 2013 Cowboy Coleridge