The River

The banks of a newly-born tributary

Neatly interrupt the path

Between our quaint cottage

And the old corner mansion.

I’ve peered across its calm surface,

Without leaving my doorstep,

The steam from my morning coffee

Giving rise to ghosts

That skate out and greet the fog

Billowing out and enveloping it.

On night-time strolls,

I swear I’ve heard the moon

Whisper and cajole

Me to wade in

And explore the world beneath.

“In the deep you’ll find what you seek,”

The stars chime in, a concert

Of celestial encouragement.

Indeed, I’ve seen hints

Of magnificence,

Fish with vibrant fins

Fanning out like scarves in the wind.

And when I’ve dared to inch closer,

Mere steps from the embankment

My watch ticks in slow motion,

The True Nature of Things

Translucent at this pace.

 

On that summer day

Or evening, I’ve forgotten,

From across the way

I thought I saw you nod to me,

“Go on, jump in!”

But my feet hesitated - maybe it was just

A simple nod hello? -

Unnaturally rooted

In such muddy earth.

Months passed before I’d see you again,

My old friend,

And our shared stream

Had hardened with ice.

“It’s just a thin layer,

Happy to help you, my dear,”

Said the sun, beaming brightly

Down on us, her rays revealing

Faint glimmers of golden creatures

Thriving down beyond the frost.

Curiosity piqued, I bared myself

Before you, grinning impishly,

And stepped with naked feet,

As if cracking through eggshells,

To plunge into

The searing wet coldness.

 

Fright topped with delight

I swam toward your side

To usher you in,

But my words were killed dead

In the silence.

Still, you gazed my way

So I plead with a look,

But try as I might

I could not find

My reflection in your eyes,

And the nearer I drew

The further you retreated

Shrugging not with fear

But indifference.

Alone, I shivered and wept,

For the river had at last shown

That it merely brimmed with dark ice

And not mystical secrets.

But upon climbing out,

I found reason to grin,

For now I can say:

At least I jumped in.