“So I told my troubles to the river And I tossed them in the deep
And I washed my hands in the river
But the river brings more trouble to me”
- Tom McRae, “Told my Troubles
to the River”
Told my troubles to the river,
But it was wise and very clever,
Kept running, leaving my words by the rocky side.
Didn’t need me, didn’t care if I lived or died.
It had drag its own weight through the mountains,
Take what I could to keep going,
Silt, sand, stone, or wood, whatever was
In the way and wouldn’t just give in.
So why tell my troubles to the river?
Couldn’t help it, I was lost in its song.
My lips moved without knowing.
Trouble was the river just flowed on.
River just flowed on.
I should maybe throw myself in.

1. What are the words used in the poem? Which are used twice or more?
2. How will you describe the structure of the poem? (How many are the lines? Is there a sound that repeats?)
3. How will you describe the speaker?
4. What issues can you relate this poem with?