On a chilly winter's day, I sit upon a bench and pray.
I pray about confusing things, I pray about what lies, what rings.
And when I finish with my prayer, I gaze at what is sitting there.
Around me there's a host of snow; 'tis dazzling white that glitters and glows.
The trees are bare, without a leaf, resembling corn without a sheaf.
The birds which rest upon this branch, like wild horses on a ranch.
They buck and jump and quibble too, they act a lot like me and you.
I continue in my scan, to see what what else befalls the land.
And then I see it, ebbing, flowing, twinkling while a lamp is glowing.
There is a river, thin and cold, that's lay'red with ice that's thick and bold.
The ice is cracked, I cannot cross, upon this path, I'm at a loss.
For just across the river shore, is someone I have seen before.
I've only seen her in my dreams, but she is no more unseen.
But I am trapped, can only stare, while she passes like a hare
Which, having eaten, slept and raced, escapes from all the troubles it faced.
She strolls on by contentedly and only once does look at me.
She blinks her eyes, then looks away, like she has seen me 'nother day.
I sigh in earnest, I can dream, but things aren't always as they seem.
I hope this message gets across, the river makes you tot'lly lost.
But does it matter, overall?  Can you leave the mighty thrall?
Yes you can, and bravely too, but there's something you must do.
As on my bench, I prayed a prayer; protection for what's mentioned there.
The river is laid down by God, although we wish that we could trod
Across that ice, to snatch our prize, and turn ourselves to too great size.
But it is better that we don't, for if we do not think we won't.
It is protection, simply done, and not for admiration won.
To separate yourself among the meak the weary and the young
You must then learn to hold your reigns, although it may just cause you pains.
To cross the river's to claim death, but to stay is in good health.
The masses cross, but if you stay, your heart will go on merry way.
You have survived, now thank the One, for all the mighty things He's done.