By the Lake

It is quiet here, except for

the thin buzzing of insects

circling and circling -

fine threads of sound

that mend water and sky.

They belong to the lake

like the far-off blare

of a frog's horn, or the couple

drifting past in their boat.

Stillness closes the water

after them like a door.

I hardly notice time

slipping away as evening

pours into the lake.

Slender trees turn themselves

into columns

to shoulder the dark.

With each breath

the lake seems

to shrink a little -

as if the water's rim,

flinching from the world,

were swimming back

toward the warmer depths

of its own blue center.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to By the Lake
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0608/060898.home.home.2.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe