SOME TIME WHEN THE RIVER IS ICE ASK ME MISTAKES I HAVE MADE. ASK ME WHETHER WHAT I HAVE DONE IS MY LIFE. OTHERS HAVE COME IN THEIR SLOW WAY INTO MY THOUGHT, AND SOME HAVE TRIED TO HELP OR TO HURT; ASK ME WHAT DIFFERENCE THEIR STRONGEST LOVE OR HATE HAS MADE. I WILL LISTEN TO WHAT YOU SAY. YOU AND I CAN TURN AND LOOK AT THE SILENT RIVER AND WAIT. WE KNOW THE CURRENT IS THERE, HIDDEN; AND THERE ARE COMINGS AND GOINGS FROM MILES AWAY THAT HOLD THE STILLNESS EXACTLY BEFORE US. WHAT THE RIVER SAYS, THAT IS WHAT I SAY.
---- WILLIAM STAFFORD, "ASK ME"