you go to the river 

casting away all your self-doubt and pain, 

and the river tells you, "I hope this is the last of it.

I hope to never see you again."

You nod your head, heart hopeful,

and the river understands

it tells you "Do not worry,

if you come back, we will start over

we will wash away the pain again

and we will keep doing this

until you are clean"

because, the river knows 

that you are human 

and this excruciating process called growing 

is all part of the universe's plan.