Shadow Lake

Shadow Lake Above Shadow Lake, those twin peaks peer down as I rest; an eerie remembrance wakes me from my weariness of having rested on these rocks some forty years past and having captured that then moment in memory. A mnemograph of trail, aches, sky; of hopes, fears, self. Twin selves reflected in apposition: What distance between same place? What sameness with distant self? A faded image etched in now silver’d neurons, retouched by these Sierran hues. My older palate savors the bittersweet of the distance traveled. A world before self – now a self before world. I continue to the lake and touch my lips to its surface to sip. Before, I opened my eyes and saw but myself reflected, Now I am shadowed as one with the mountains above.