Calmly the river flows
To many creatures, yet unknown.
A place to drink for those who know,
And a place for many to call their home.

The river meanders through the countryside
Like the veins essential to our lives.
Carrying nourishment on which to feed.
Vital to our daily needs.

An abundance of food for man everywhere
And a bounty of salmon for the hungry bear.
But, do not be fooled by its magnificence
For the hidden reality is far more intense.

The river so powerful yet seemingly steady
Barely a sound echoing in the valley.
So very quiet, yet mightily strong,
Silently waiting for victims to come along,

To the river the victims now belong.

But it's in the nature of the beast,
And man tries to tame it
By putting in place
A huge wall of stone
To slow down it's pace,
And in the end, sadly,
It's life, man will take,
And this wonderful life force
Becomes just a still lake.