by the lake so still so calm <br />sky-blue cloud-white <br />more sky than water this autumn day <br />the air so still above <br /> <br />there a tree leans over the water <br />as if in thanks <br />and here a gathering of stones <br />awaits the offhand lapping of the wavelets <br />bringing out the many colours of the stones <br />that remember mountains edging the horizon <br />with light and shadow through the day <br /> <br />over there a fountain plashes over worn carved stone <br />fed by a mountain waterfall wild fountain tamed <br />throwing up a million new-mined diamonds <br />droplets sparkling like a chandelier <br />the sun catches turning air and water <br />into unceasing dance of somehow joy <br /> <br />the still lake the dancing fountain <br />telling with water two stories <br />stillness in joy <br />joy in stillness <br /> <br />as two white-robed nuns who whisper laughing <br />laughing whisper <br />in the cool of the evening <br />beside the fountain <br />before prayer <br />and holy silence<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lake-the-fountain/
