“Water” by Ralph Waldo Emerson [w/ Audio]

The water understands
Civilization well;
It wets my foot, but prettily,
It chills my life, but wittily,
It is not disconcerted,
It is not broken-hearted:
Well used, it decketh joy,
Adorneth, doubleth joy:
Ill used, it will destroy,
In perfect time and measure
With a face of golden pleasure
Elegantly destroy.

Be Water [Free Verse]

The floating feather
that eludes my grasp
isn't haughty or gleeful.

It just rolls, slips, glides,
and is gone.