i followed close the river's flow
upon a winding road
it softly whispered to and fro
its secrets as i strode

i came upon a saddened child
who knew much more than i
i asked his name and he just smiled
and turned to say good-bye

the air was sweet and warm and dry
the river bade me follow
thoughts of the child that would not cry
kept me from my wallow

the river narrowed and flowed with haste
and i ran to match its pace
but the image still was not erased
of the saddened child's face

what did he know that i did not?
why sad and yet still smiling?
what mystery was his lonesome lot?
why was he so beguiling?

with heavy foot did i then tread
as i neared the river's end
into a larger river, it now led
whose course that i did wend

i trekked along the riverbank
one thought still filled my mind
then and then my poor heart sank
at what i was to find

again the saddened child i met
and the vigil that he kept
his eyes upon me now were set
as the saddened child wept