A RIVER AUTOBIOGRAPHY 



By EUGENIA PORTER, Peabody School, St. Louis 



Formed by small streams and fed by small rills 

 That find their way down the slopes of the hills, 

 I begin my work of erosion. 



My profile is steep, but surely though slowly 



I work on the hills, till the lofty are lowly, 



And broaden and deepen my valleys. 



Moving more slowly but greater in strength, 

 Embracing my brothers that come in my length, 

 I work my way down to the ocean. 



Becoming mature, I do mighty deeds, 

 Bearing great loads and filling up meads, 

 And gradually reaching base level. 



In broad sweeping lines a delta I form 

 And indented coast, the which I adorn 

 With bountiful waste, called detritus. 



In long ages hence, my labor well done 

 Enjoying my rest and embraced by the sun, 

 I will leave my dry bed to explorers. 



