Dark the water lay as I forced ripples across the glazing
We pushed on this early hour, before the sun
A few minutes portage over a stony path
To the lake of our summer's past
Where boys grew to know the world
The pond in which we swam, played, and grew

Years have passed since I paddled this water
Looking beyond the speckled black
Of morning's light on my wake
Familiar patterns emerge, jogging memories
Memories long stowed for want of time
To reflect and relive theses few happy days
When they were planted here

The remembrance of summer's long spent day
Of youthful warmth given over to middle age mediocrity
Of hopeful dreams given over to settling
Of youth gone, and love past, the time has gone
But as I gray I will cherish the memories
Reviewed on this blackened glass, this lake on early morn

Ted Aronis

Copyright ©2001 Ted Aronis