God

born of man 

conceived in fear 

a refuge from pain 

a symbol of hope 

the ultimate power 

that nurtures and kills 

appeased by prayer 

and suffering 

a mystery to some 

while others believe 

hidden from man 

all signs obscure 

the source of love 

an excuse for hate 

demanding faith 

and promising life

South Platte

born in peaks 

and fed by snow 

she carved her path 

through walls of rock 

beyond those hills 

a city sprawled 

her bounty sought 

her floods endured 

so dams and chutes 

control her flow 

and woods she spawned 

now fade to dust 

but on she rolls 

across the plains 

her power drained 

her glory lost