Mountain Lake

The lake sits wide and tranquil at
the foot of the mountain where the 
endless stream washing down from
slopes nourish its swelling capacity
from inlet to expanding end nudging
aside the forest creating a swampy 
wetland. The crystal green lake
shimmers in the cloud-bobbled
blue of the sky reflecting the soft
white of the clouds, their blue haven
and the vast green screen of the forest
old pines, hemlock, yellow birch 
and maple casting their sentried
forms to achieve great heights
underscored by the understory of
dogwood, moose maple and ostrich
ferns. Wind ripples the lake's surface
catching diamond points of sun-glitter
as a loon surfaces, dives, resurfaces
and calls its shrill territorial imperative.