Tale of two rivers

For the last few weeks I've been reading two novels that contain impressive rivers.

The first river is not named, but let me call it River Siddhartha as it is from the novel Siddhartha written by Herman Hesse. This is a very wise river. If you listen closely, you'll hear it give you advice. And if you listen even closer you'll hear it laugh (sometimes mock you), sing, or cry. Many a soul that searched for enlightenment found it here, after listening to the river.

The second river is the River Piedra. Legend has it that everything that falls into the river turns into stone and sinks down the riverbed. People with broken hearts often go on the banks of the Piedra and try to rip their hearts and throw them into the river to have the pain they feel taken away from them.

I wish these two rivers are near Cagayan de Oro, or even better, near Bugo so that I can walk by it everyday. Everyday that I go to work. And everyday that I go back from work. Whenever I'm weary, I could walk on the banks of the River Piedra and touch its waters. Aren't those tears? I could find comfort in knowing that I'm not the only one tired of everything that has been going on around me. Whenever I'm lost, I could sit by the River Siddhartha and listen to its wise waters. Sure, she'll mock me for the stupid things that I put myself through, but then later she'll take pity and tell me my options. She won't tell me what to do. I have to solve my own problems, but under her guidance.

It would be nice to have those two rivers near me. Both rivers are gifts from God, gifts for the weary, aching, broken souls that wander around the city. Both rivers are gifts from God, gifts for the happy, glad, contented souls that skip about around the city. Lamentations and celebrations united by each river, united by both rivers. Cries and laughter heard as one in each river, in both rivers. Tired souls and happy souls in communion by the two rivers.

This December, this Christmas season, may I find both rivers.