Love Poem: Reflections In Water

Reflections In Water

I went back years later ...

Early morn, as day blinked its eyes, I rowed a little dory out,
     smooth rivulets behind me in the mirror surface.
       I stopped in the middle, wrapping the misty silence around me,
     straining to remember the town as it had been ...
yes, it would be about here ... the cemetery.

       They moved all the graves they could, before the deluge,
  but many remained, for age or obscurity.
It was there she kissed me, first ...
  we went daily for the quietus, to do afternoon homework,
       (and conquer the world, of course),

'Twas there friendship became ... more ...
     like crocuses rushing to spring, we bloomed,
       under the brooding arms of a grumpy old elm.
     Yet, now it all decayed, in murky wet -
An entire town given to the depths ...

       For the thirst of a city, miles away.
  I can't word the feelings, as I pondered there ...
half my life and countless memories,
  swimming far below in unforgiving darkness.
       Homes, streets, schools, churches, and yes, a graveyard,

Drowned ... for progress and population.
     I took out my wallet, removed her photo from its honored sheath,
       placed it ever-so-tenderly on the lake's surface,
     and watched it slowly sink to the depths,
With my childhood ...

     And my heart.





~ 3rd Place ~  in the "Strand Choice 10 Any Form Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 4th Place ~  in the "Free Verse Style Only" Poetry Contest, Emile Pinet, Judge & Sponsor.