I think I've mentioned before that I have a small stack of
New Hampshire Troubadour magazines that my mother had given me years ago. I enjoy re-reading them seasonally. On the back of the July 1950 issue I found the following beautiful poem:
Woodland Lake
by Ruth M. Hill
A mirror lake, within an emerald grove,
Reflecting dark, tall trees with branches low;
The shadows cool and deep, to where below
In quiet back-curve of a little cove,
As in that strange behind-a-mirror place,
The stems of lilies, with a flowing grace
Find root and to the lucid surface grow.
A roving cloud and bird reflected are;
Nor can a storm this mirror break or mar.
Each storm must pass. And all the tempest tossed
Upon these liquid depths is quickly lost;
The surface scarless, now reflects a star.
A mirror mingling fantasy and scene,
Beneath blue skies a woodland lake serene.
Such a beautiful poem. I especially like the line, "Each storm must pass. And all the tempest tossed/Upon these liquid depths is quickly lost." It's very meaningful to me to think of the storm passing, the surface of the lake smoothing out again and then reflecting a star. Love those thoughts.
I know I have shared all these lake photos before, but didn't identify the lakes. The top photo is of Echo Lake; the middle one is Newfound Lake, taken from Sugarloaf Mountain; and the bottom photo is of Back Lake. Hope you all enjoyed this poem as much as I did!
There is something about water that is just so calming.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Arlene!
DeleteWe've spent time at two mountain lakes in the past week. A real blessing.
Poems are cool because they crytallize thoughts succinctly. It might take me paragraphs to describe everything in that poem and not so meaningfully. The lines about storm's passing is excellent. True that only placid waters can serve as reflections of stars.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Vee. I have only written one or two decent poems. As you said, poems truly do crystallize thoughts.
DeleteThanks for sharing your insightful comments.
The poem is indeed beautiful. I have always wished I could write like that, but I did NOT get that talent.
ReplyDeleteLakes are beautiful too. There is something so peaceful about gazing out at water.
I enjoy writing, Sandy, but I don't consider myself talented in the area of poetry at all.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is truly beautiful and meaningful. I would like to see if I can find more of this poet's work.