trickling softly over submerged branches
the creek winds through the woods
past sand bars and fallen trees;
joined by a spring
cold clear water, passed through a culvert,
meets the murky stream
the rippling of the sand
shows through the shallows
chubs dart upstream
a carp scours the floor, devouring benthic worms
the memories
the habitat
the childhood
the forging
flowing stream fills the slack tub
quenching the newly shaped soul
blood mixed with creek water
forever pumps through his veins