The Source, from Jonathan Elias's American River

by the time it has wound its way to Gulf of Mexico
the Rio Grande has carved the borderline between Texas and old Mexico
from El Paso down to Brownsville
where the muddy water is heavy with the rich aluminum soil
it brings life in abundance to the fertile lower Rio Grande valley
and a dangerous crossing for the hungry wetbacks
who brave the treacherous currents and quicksand
to work the fields and feeds
and what began as a crystalline stream in the mountains of colardo
becomes a breath of Eden in an arid land

the source of the American river is the pure
clear
dream
of freedom
and justice
and mercy.
lifeblood of a visionary embodiment of human hunger for a better life
the powerful curent of this notion, this nation
indelibly carving its course into the landscape of the world
and neither world nor river would ever be the same
and neither world nor river would ever be the same

It can be a highway
Or a barrier.
Life to a thirsty world
Or a killer.
And it can be diverted
by the weaknesses of men
And it can be polluted
by men without vision.

ancient writers of the river gave her the resepct she deserves
as they did all life.
modern men have used and abused her
and shown precious little respect for any kind of life.
The old man closed his sad eyes.
"This country is split wide open," he said,
"right down the middle.
And it's never gonna come together
Because it was built on the bones of slaves
and the blood of natives."
He spat in the dust.
"We have not evolved."

a dream is harder to kill than a dreamer but once it's forgotten, it's gone.
remember, the source of the american river is the
pure
clear
dream
of freedom
and justice
and mercy.

freedom
and justice
and mercy.