Song That Stops the River

Her flute rose softly at first,
a ribbon of breath shaped into light
and the river, rushing with its ancient urgency,
paused mid-current,
turning its silver face toward her
as if time itself wished to listen.

The mountains stirred from their deep sleep.
stone bones humming with wonder.
They straightened their silhouettes
against the sky,
lifting their grand shoulders
to catch every wandering note
that drifted through the dusk.

Across the valley, blossoms awakened
petals trembling open
in colors the night had never seen.
Butterflies spun in circles of gold and blue.
drawn forward by the echo
that brushed their wings
like a warm, familiar hand.

And when her final note unfurled
into the quiet evening air,
The earth held its breath
for in that single song
She carried the memory of old spirits.
the heartbeat of the land,
and the power to make all creation
stop, listen,
and bloom.

Art by Serin Alar