by Woody Unruh
Water lives and moves throughout the Chippewa River and this poem is reflective towards the life-like properties that water possesses. It is also a reflection on water's ability to traverse both the world and time. The poem below is entitled "The Common Connection". I hope you enjoy, thank you! -Woody
Unseen from Earth’s surface, I flow silently.
Pooling here and there, until emerging.
Gushing from springs and forming headwaters, I see the light of day.
This is not a new sight though,
For I have been around since the beginning of time.
Throughout my existence, I have taken on many forms,
From billowing rain clouds traversing the Great Plains, to relaxing in an azure mountain lake, just to take in the view.
I have seen it all.
Not just in location however, but in time.
Since the beginning of time, I have been around.
See, life cannot exist without me.
That’s why my presence is needed for creation.
While I may have traveled the world,
And seen civilizations come and go,
I am eager about my current time and place, for I am forming a river.
It might not look like much, but someday via this river,
I will reach the Great Lakes.
After traversing the Great Lakes,
\I will eventually reach the ocean.
It’s inspiring to me to think that this small river I’m in now is so connected to the rest of the world.
While I may just be seen as making up this river, I am more.
I am the link between cultures and locations from around the world.
I am water.