A lake is to a river,
as a __________ is to a ______.
How would you fill the blanks?

As a bird is to a flock?
One singular entity emerging to a whole?
No, that’s the opposite it seems…
as a lake is greater than the sum of its parts,
and not the one becoming many.

As a galaxy is to a star?
The many pinpointing down to one…
but still conveying different truth.
A lake is still and contained, but
a river flows...and a star remains galactic.

As a family is to a child?
A nurturing body sending forth an offshoot
to explore the world and find its own way.
To leave the nest and strike out alone.
As the river wanders away.