Jumpin Over Rivers©05

Panoramic Viewof Yelm River ©08

When I have a frustratingly its time to take a mental health break I find water seems to always calm me at least for the moment. When I saw this river it reminded me of a poem I had written three years ago using a river as a metaphor for jumping or overcoming obstacles no matter how large or how small. Even if it appears minute to others when you are face with a challenge of any kind it is very real & genuine to you.

In the final analysis is anyone approval orcaring matters? Yes to some degree it does. SOmetimes will not allow people to demostrate theircaring depriving them not only of a job well done, but the benefits and happiness that comes from giving. But when the game begin it matters most to the one who has to cope with it and find a way to jump over those rivers.

Our world is increasingly becoming more and more prideful/provenchial, pretending indifference to others plights. Self-absorption masquearding as "choices" . Or "its there problem not mine" attitude. But we all ripple when in motion, interlacing with other ripples made by other folks. No it does not mean we are require to take upon all the world's problems on our should ers,but it sure goes a long way for someone to know someone cares enough to stand on the enbankment for a moment with us.

Finding a balance isn't always a rocket scientist formula, but when the stuff is all up in your face it is indeed a sight to behold to find balance or have the ability to ride it out. Some rivers challenges are smaller then others, some time easily forgotten at least until the next one comes. The Salmon River is a mosquitoe bit in comparison to the mighty Mississippi, but when you are the one standing on the enbankment looking to take that leap both rivers can seem insurmountable.

But in the end, it still comes to the same thing, we have to jump over that river...



Jumpin’ over rivers to see how high…
Jumpin’ over rivers so we can fly…

I say we’re jumpin’ over rivers when we’ve been tried…
Jumpin over rivers even when we hide…
I’m jumpin’ over rivers when I thought there was no guide.
And we’re jumpin’ over rivers as we rise…
We’re jumpin’ over rivers to see the sky…
I say we’re jumpin over rivers to get to the prize….
We are jumpin’ over rivers to see God’s eyes.

All rights reservedJHM 5-5-05©


This poem accompanied the quilt I created for the Bennett College 2005 Commencement speaker Tavis Smiley