This Lake, My Garden

August 15, 1989

Reflections summer here Like flowers In this glittering garden Seeded by light, And, tenuous as noon But opulent, invite Touch ... To what avail? They cannot be held Or plaited into garlands, Are soon dispelled By the merest tide; Yet protean And rarefied, Are gathered, abound Beyond time Within the perfect garden Of the mind, And shimmer Lovelier than lilies.