# The River of Thus

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Hello my dear,<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The River of Thus

I found you damned by my father for your passage and crush<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, he did ask me to blame him for my childish crutch<br>
He thought, as he did, of his binding to beds without rush<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, he did ask me to blame fathers for their fatherly touch

You looked oh so shallow, as I gained my necklace banded<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, I did damn you, as he damned my own mother<br>
He would always ask "Why?"; to him the river demanded<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, he did damn you, as I damned his own father

At times I would wonder, what made you so turnt<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;from crashing to caring, all so absurd<br>
I wander the creek, alone for my quiet<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mint, stone, soil, and silence

A dam I would spy, choked full of desire<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Californian oak, both poisoned and spired<br>
The seasons would change, my thoughts did as well<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus the dam rotted and poisoned the well<br>
For damning did nothing, but catch what it damned<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus breaking and flooding all of the land

Not content in the stagnant waters he'd wield<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, he tore at his hair, giving his father his yield<br>
"The River of Thus has poisoned you too"<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Blame me, blame him, blame the river's taboo"

In tumults I thought of the mint and the sky<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of the life the creek only now let through<br>
In turn I dismantled this damning of you<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rotted oak now mulch as we grew

Dear River of Thus, thank you now in turn<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I loved all our journeys, even ones that still hurt<br>
I hope you will find our river continues<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Feeding mint, blackberries, and oaks high above.

Forever yours,<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Child of Us

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