Good Morning River

1st June

I slowly drift into consciousness. I lay motionless as my senses adjust. My room is lit with a gentle, glowing orange light. It is soft as it brushes my eyelids. My eyes flutter open, my gaze going to the window. The silk curtains are drawn open, a small string attaching them to each side of my window. It is, and always has been, like this. The sky is starting to lighten. The sun has started its never ending, daily ritual as it awakes steadily. Dazzling colours are projected in the sky but I am the only one to see it. Outside, I hear the birds, chirping and cawing as if cheering on the sun joyfully. Two black birds flutter past my window. I watch them as they merge into the colours of the setting sun and are gone. My feet touch the smooth wooden floor. There is a soft creak as I lift myself up and stretch. The sun's warm smile reaches my face as it beams back at me, glad for my company. It seems to radiate a comfort deep in my heart, making me feel dizzy but warm. I unlock my window and it swings open with a happy squeak. A gentle breeze sneaks into my room and swirls around me. I feel it tickle my cheeks and sneakily flow into my shirt. Fresh, cool scents fill my nose, as if nature had been there the whole night, waiting to be let in. I lean out of the window and a wind whips my hair into a messy nest on my head. The sun calls to the skies. It calls to the birds, the insects, the trees and the grass. To the snoring badgers hidden in the jungle that is the forest, to the resting flower, to the snoring city and to the people. It is a call that sets gently in my soul. It calls for everything, every creation to wake up to a new beginning, to a new start and to be something great. 

It does not, call to the River. The River is always awake. It is a never ending flow of emotions, stories, adventures, creatures and objects. It is always awake. Always alive, always active. It is a gushing river of joy, sadness, anger and calm. It brings something different to everybody. To one person, it may be a need, a necessity. To others, it may be a joy, a new adventure. And to some, it can be a nightmare. A horrible dangerous nightmare. But no matter, it is still beautiful. Breathtaking. One of nature's proudest creations. My gaze tears away from the sunrise and down to the roof of trees. And snaking out of the dark green forest is the River. It pads down the sloping hill and under a decorated wooden bridge. It makes its way calmly towards the city and is gone beyond the large buildings, the bustling people and the loud cars. It is gone far beyond. I don't know where it stretches to. I don't know what it has seen, what it has a experienced. I wish I did but that's the charm of it. And, I may never know what the River has seen or done, what is has felt or why it has cried, but I do know that it will always be there. So, with a small smile on my lips, I welcome the River. 
          "Good morning, River."