The water lay gray and wrinkled like
elephant skin-
swirling mist,
much as smoke from the end of a
cigarette, rises from the water
to greet the new day.

From somewhere on the dawning breeze
comes the mournful wail of a solitary Loon,
and the stars that shown like celestial
jewels begin to wink out one by one.

The leaden eastern sky gives way to scarlet,
as the moon retreats before the sun, and I
now alone, repose in reverie of long ago
mornings on this lake with you.

@ 2000