If I travel down the river

If I travel down the river,
Down the river, to the light,
I will roam the golden slumbers
Till the world goes out of sight.

If I sink in whirling waters,
Down, towards the glowing mist,
I will guard my seaweed lair
From the current and the beasts.

If I travel up the river
To the wild and barren land
I will seek a wind-borne flower;
At its roots I’ll meet my end.