The River Bed - Ray Wylie Hubbard

I come down to the river

And I watch as the sun goes down

And I feel the earth shiver

As the darkness comes circlin' 'round

And I swore I would not come here

And I know I should not stay

Any thoughts heaven-born I have

I choose to cast them away

She appears by the water

In the light of a quarter-moon

She is dressed in lace and velvet

In shades of grays and maroons

She knows without me speaking

Until I have her I cannot rest

And she smiles as she comes to me

And I lean down and I get some rest

She rips the cross from around my neck

She says «Take me down to the river bed

«For once you have had me

«You'll not be satisfied with the undead»

We walk into the river

I cannot see the shore

And I am baptized in dark water

And I’m hers forevermore

Beneath my feet, there’s a rumble

In the heavens there’s storms

And I feel myself sinking

Into something dark and warm