Lakeside
I cast my line
leave it trailing in the glittering water.
Lean back
I catch up with the sun;
old friend
returning for this new season,
I settle into his presence
sway slightly in the spring breeze,
breathe
softly breathe;
deep and relaxed
for the first time in months.
Tug on the line;
I draw it up
out of the water,
examine the gift
the lake has given me-
write down these words
allow them to bless me
set them back down in the rippling pool.-
Cast my line again,
far,
it snags
on Raven’s wings;
shake it loose.
a few feathers drift down
I press them between pages,
wait for them to turn into poems.
Pick up my net
throw it high,
spread wide like a mother’s arms;
it wraps up the tops of trees,
cradles nests still under construction
-pull it down gently-
baptismal shower of pine needles and arbutus bark,
Thank you
                      thank you
                                                thank you.
Drop it
sink it to the bottom on the lake,
let myself lose sight of it;
I am learning to let go of control.
Draw it back up once the wind changes,
catch glimmering glimpses
glint of scales
coloured stones
lost teeth;
songs
held in the water’s throat,
sung in a thousand wild languages.
Take only
what you absolutely need,
one for each hand
-to keep me grounded-
one under my tongue,
that I may translate all this
with clarity.
Put all these lush words
in my pockets.
Pack away the net
and the pole.
Offer the fragrant prayer of gratitude
allow peace
to take my hand
and lead me
out of the woods,
away from the lake
and back home.