if there is a river br more beautiful than this br bright as the blood br red edge of the moon if br there is a river br more faithful than this br returning each month br to the same delta if there br br is a river br braver than this br coming and coming in a surge br of passion, of pain if there is br br a river br more ancient than this br daughter of eve br mother of cain and of abel if there is in br br the universe such a river if br there is some where water br more powerful than this wild br water br br pray that it flows also br through animals br beautiful and faithful and ancient br and female and bravebr br Lucille Cliftonbr br