I hear the sound of water,

     gurgling, flowing, breathing with life

The sound of water slapping stones,

     pushing past the verdant reeds

I hear the water join the song of a child,

     laughing, splashing, dancing

     with the rhythm of the current

The sound of water as she sings and paddles deeper

     and deeper still, pumped into the heart

     of the river

I hear the melody change,

     the chorus halts abruptly and a note of panic

     resonates

I hear the staccato splashing,

     too much splashing,

     then none at all

The song is over

I hear silence

I hear the sound of water