If I Bring It to the River

If I bring it to the river

can I leave it there to sleep

is the water cold and still

or does it sing

is the hilltop high enough

to let it fall and never hear it hit

if I give it to the trees

will it stay hidden in their leaves

it’s always hungry and it cries

and I don’t know what to feed it

I lie awake with memories

or with what I can’t forget

and at night I shush and cradle

what I wish I could regret

if I bring it to the river

can I leave it there to sleep

is the water cold and still

or will it sing

it needs more than what I have

it wants more than I can give

can I bring it to the edge

and step

and never hear it hit.