My River

She wends her way
tirelessly, courageously
through history.
She shelters waterfowl
and fish of all descriptions.
She nourishes the land.
She causes the desert to bloom and
orchards to bring forth abundant fruit.
She keeps the secret knowledge
of Indians who fished along her banks,
of prehistoric men who hunted and
lived along her shores.
She's mother to this valley.
She's one of a kind . . .
She's mine . . .
She's the mighty . . .
COLUMBIA