On the Outside

Written by Cheri Maynard

On the outside, I am a river,

Cool—ever running to distant places.

No obstacles too great to stop me.

I am a stranger to no one.

No one is a stranger to me.

I laugh as I dance across rocks and fallen trees.

Rain only adds to my strength.

On the inside, I am a feather.

Light, frail—carried away by every breeze.

Easily crushed by a thoughtless word.

I don’t know how to touch people.

People don’t know how to touch me.

I tremble when a strong wind sweeps me up.

Rain pelts me to the ground.