“Soul River”

A birthday poem for the pastor/fly fisherman who helped see me through some very dark years.

Soul River

Dawn bidding stars 
a soft farewell 
pulling color across the sky
faint then fiery 
blessing this new day
this new year

all yours

may you live deep
in your soul's river
welcoming beloved you
with wide meandering embrace
singing over you with clearest blue
around each watery curve
humming resonant green
along grassy banks
thundering foamy white 
over resolute boulders
reveling in the tumble
then stretching out into smoothness
where sun smiles at her reflection
freckles of laughter sparkling
dancing upon the face of the waters
where life shimmers 
leaps
splashes with delight
as you dive 
into the joy of this day.

---

©2026 Wendy Lew Toda
Image: James Wainscoat for Unsplash