Padraic Colum

Here you will find the Poem River-Mates of poet Padraic Colum

River-Mates

I?LL be an otter, and I?ll let you swim 
A mate beside me; we will venture down 
A deep, dark river, when the sky above 
Is shut of the sun; spoilers are we, 
Thick-coated; no dog?s tooth can bite at our veins 
With eyes and ears of poachers; deep-earthed ones 
Turned hunters; let him slip past 
The little vole; my teeth are on an edge 
For the King-fish of the River! 
I hold him up 
The glittering salmon that smells of the sea; 
I hold him high and whistle! 
Now we go 
Back to our earths; we will tear and eat 
Sea-smelling salmon; you will tell the cubs 
I am the Booty-bringer, I am the Lord 
Of the River; the deep, dark, full and flowing River.