On the Origin of Rainbows

He saw the river running past

And marveled at her beauty.

She sang a song of moving fast

With words so sweet and flutey.

She giggled softly as she kissed,

The earth that hugged her sweetly.

And reached for air and made a mist

And spread her joy completely.

But when the sun reached for her touch,

The river danced and swayed.

His fingertips a tiny brush

She took his heat away.

And so the sun he drew far back,

And watched her from the sky.

And in his heart he felt the lack,

As days and weeks went by.

But soon he fell for more than grace

And could not stay so far.

Seeing her, his heart would race

And threaten to tear apart.

And so he left his noble place,

And visited her again.

He came down into her space,

The hallowed forrest glen.

“What can I say to tell you

How much you mean to me?

I’m here and I will tell it true

I’ll get down on one knee.

My heart is yours for so long.

You take my breath away.

And so I sing a merry song,

And ask if I can stay.

I sing of joy and beauty

I sing of peace and love

I ask for you to give me

The gift that I dream of.”

Moved by his loving warmth,

A song so sweet to hear,

She came forth from the earth,

And went to meet him there.

“I wish that I could give to you,

Everything you seek.

But already I am married to

The ground beneath your feet.

They hold me close and love me dear

A love that knows no bounds.

And while your words are nice to hear,

Your words are only sounds.”

Although his heart did sink,

He could not be deterred.

“I beg of you to think

Please listen to my word.

I can give you glory,

A seat upon a throne.

Become a living story.

You’ll call the sky your home.

All will praise your beauty

Give you respect deserved

And I will love you truly.

Your every whim I serve.”

But River never wanted

The love of quite so many.

She’d never boast or flaunt it

Her beauty in its plenty.

And while she knew she cared,

The love she had was plenty.

And though her eyes they teared

She chose rejection gently.

“You know we’ll never fit,

Your fiery touch and mine.”

“You must know I’ll never quit!

My heart will always pine.”

And though her heart was moved to pity

The river, she stayed strong.

She knew his song, the words were pretty,

But it was just a song.

He left her there. Was so forlorn

And turned back to the sky

She wished that she could give him more,

A gift to know her by.

As he turned back one last time,

Her body turned to mist.

She reached for him, with love so fine

And when they touched they kissed.

Light exploded out of touch,

And danced across the glen.

The beauty of all colors such,

They came together then

A bow they formed with stunning grace

It arched without a waiver.

The gentle touch of their embrace,

Created such a favor.

And though the love they had was sweet,

They knew it couldn’t last.

And while she left him with a treat,

Their moment it had passed.

And when the sun was high aloft,

He reached for her and sighed.

She stretched to meet with touch so soft.

And prismed across the sky.

Whenever he would feel alone,

In his palace up in heaven,

She gave the gift of rainbow.

Her gift of colors seven.

Every time, she would arise,

When he reached for her.

And meet her friend in the skies,

And share a love so pure.

A gift of love that never dies.

A love that would forever be.

She’d meet her sun in the skies,

And listened to his pleas.

And though she couldn’t give his worth,

Her tears would start to flow.

She rained back down onto the earth

And gave him a rainbow.