The River Flows Like a Song

It was the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus who is credited with saying, “You cannot step into the same river twice, for it is not the same river and you are not the same man.” Indeed, unlike a lake or pond (or mud puddle, a favorite of my grandson), a river is always moving, changing, exerting its force, and responding to the obstacles it encounters.

Indeed, that’s the one constant of a river, the fact that it is always changing. And as a force of nature with a life and spirit of its own, it touches something deep inside of us, resonating with the core of who we are and inspiring creativity on many levels.

Little River was flowing strong with the recent
summer rains. (Photo by Matt Genereux)

Encounter Little River up close and you’ll understand this truth. Photographers like Beth Maynor Young have been drawn to its beauty and, in Young’s case, moved to wield the power of photography to promote conservation efforts. Young boys who would grow up to form the most successful country music group of all time swam in the waters of Little River, which inspired several Alabama songs. Likewise for Pierce Pettis, one of my favorite artists, who sings about “swimming with the snakes” in those waters “so cold it makes you ache.”

Painters have captured Little River on canvas. Botanists and other scientists have been awed to discover the incredible biodiversity of plant and animal life supported by Little River and the canyon it passes through.

DeSoto Falls and Little River Falls are some of the most photographed waterfalls in the Southeast. Years ago, I met a photographer from Louisiana who saw these marvels of nature with fresh eyes, helping me gain a greater appreciation of what I admittedly took for granted, having seen them my whole life.

Speaking of fresh eyes, Japanese native and New Jersey-based guitarist and composer Hiroya Tsukamoto named an album after Little River Canyon, and plans to release a new song this year that he composed while sitting at an overlook marveling at the river below.

A river will transport you if you let it. It will inspire you. It will change you. It will put you in touch with something deep within, connecting the created with the Creator.

I’m thankful for our river, and hope to spend more time with its ever-changing waters this year.