I walked
along the river today
overflowing its banks
and purging itself
of deadwood and debris

the current
was treacherous swift
so out of control
despite its
inevitable destination

just a “roaring drunk”
trying to go somewhere
anywhere
the way I am
most of the time
these days

and then I saw the beaver
paddling his way upstream
sticks in his teeth
sure and determined
to dam up the flow
a slow and steady builder
astride a wild and raging
deluge of confusion

and the Great Spirit
told me in my heart
that he
was me
just trying
to get sober