The Undiscovered Country

THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY We often gazed at the island, she and I. In the broad Volga, it Looked like one island in summer, But boats entered its leaves never coming back. In fall the view cleared it into two islands, Separate, but too close to be separable. An undiscovered land seen From afar at first, then up close and so wonderful And seen again from afar, Shows a new hill or bay, Not obvious from close-in. A lovely added dimension, she said. Unknown Venus In the frosty blue early spring sky Shimmering and alone, except for us. Every morning freshly welcome Like a drink of cold water Always new, untouched. She is the undiscovered country. A fresh world of life, where memories are created Always new, moment to moment, living With no plan, no history, unimagined new Ideas spring from her reality. My boat will never come back.