At a Lake In Winter

In the nacre of morning light
ice tendrils over cobbled stones
touching lake's edge
as surrounding crags plummet
to the surface.

An opaque sky preens
diaphanous plumage 
as I, like Narcissus,
ponder my reflection
in winter's adumbral waters.

My face flickers on the silent depths
like a mirage, an anomaly 
of flesh and bone
in isolated wilderness.
I drop a pebble; the image scatters 
as though blown away by arctic wind.

Soon encroaching cold 
will obscure the lake with a sheet
of luminous crystal;
I'll be gone by then
like an alpine gust of summer
that appeared suddenly
through the spruce flocking 
to a frozen oasis
below desolate summits.

12/16/18

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 1/23/2019 9:15:00 PM
A breathtaking portrait if one of the most beautiful lakes in America Dale. Outstanding! Congratulations on your wondrful second place win! : ) xxoo
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 1/24/2019 8:28:00 AM
Thank you, Connie.
Date: 1/23/2019 3:27:00 PM
Dale, you have created great imagery and feeling on your well written poem. Thank you so much for entering my contest. Congratulations on your win . Hugs Eve ~`*
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 1/23/2019 3:36:00 PM
Thank you so much, Eve. It was my pleasure.
Date: 12/20/2018 8:56:00 PM
I just adore the way you write free verse. Very few do I say that too. LOVE this.
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 12/21/2018 8:05:00 AM
Thanks so much, Andrea.
Date: 12/16/2018 4:02:00 PM
Man does seem out of place in the wilderness, but if you hadn't visited this awesome sight, how would you be able to describe things as beautifully as "ice tendrils over cobbled stones." Can't help but wish to skate on that lake's "luminous crystal." Absolutely stunning, Dale. I'm a new fan. ice tendrils over cobbled stones
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 12/16/2018 4:49:00 PM
Thank you very much, Carolyn.
Date: 12/16/2018 1:51:00 PM
Great dichotomy in this fascinating poem, Gregory! Enjoyed :)
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 12/16/2018 2:50:00 PM
Thank you, Laura.
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