I like the first stanza, esp 'and gain momentum when falling'.Certainly
obeying a physical law there!  No, actually I'm told that you don't fall any
faster for falling further, speed of fall is dictated by mass, but certainly
gravity provides the momentum for a river to reach the sea. It actually goes
much slower nearer the sea as the decline is generally minimal.

The second verse reminds me of salmon swimming upstream and is a bit
confusing, The fruitfulness a river engenders in the land is another of
those physical laws that a river might 'inherently' obey   but 'to struggle
and reach the source' isn't clearly part of the rules for a river, only the
salmon!  There's something here. Keep going!
Trish
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Horwood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: Enigma: The River


Hello Shah,
           I found the language here rather stilted and unnatural, e.g. in
the opening line. Also, I think you have to be really careful addressing
inanimate objects, like rivers. Even more dangerous, I think, is ascribing
an `inherent nature´ to anything, even people. This is, of course, a matter
of one´s personal philosophy but inherent nature´s are, at best, dodgy
things to prove or demonstrate.


Best wishes,   Mike




--- Alkuperäinen viesti ---
Enigma: The River

 From where does come the power in you
to rush, and meet the ocean?
Do you believe in physical laws,
that you take origin in the mountains
and gain momentum while falling?

Or is it your inherent nature
to struggle and reach the source?
If this be true, I salute you twice:
for exhibiting unflinching diligence,
as also for the grains you supply.
~

c s shah