The Lake

The swollen lake had begun to settle again as the brilliant sun seemed to dance between the clouds I’d fondly remember the quiet calming warmth beneath the trunks of big cypress trees morning golfers could be seen in a distance overlooking rows and rows of grassy hills as I sat sipping hazelnut coffee with hints of coconut cream the wide-open grandeur allowed giant egrets to land on logs that housed the seasonal perched wood storks who came every summer to nest my soul followed the red masculine cardinal’s who only peeked out to chase the grackles and noisy bluejays away while the female cardinals enjoyed fresh berries sharing sweet nectar with hummingbirds as woodpeckers sends signals down my spine banging on the only hollow tree awakening the old owl by to the loop of cool darkened forestry hiding from the daylight my mind comforted in the faint notions of such beauty hidden deep within the woods behind the sun along the river's edge while yellow eyed alligators prowled searching for unsuspecting prey to get a closer view of the pink flamingos seeking solitude and seclusion to bathe and dry their wings sudden soft breeze began to stir as hundreds of white herons flew in from the Caribbean Sea hunting frogs and hefty tadpoles that just arrived with a tangled nest of garden snakes oh how the birds began squawking chirping whistling noises filled every corner of the lake while shadows of large wings blocked the sun two hawks gliding about the very top of the tall trees startling a mother eagle arriving back just in time to her nest with breakfast for her three awaiting chicks wouldn't you know a gang of turkey vultures lay low hoping she drop a few eggs to devour appetizers until the alligator leaves something dead behind as I sit stirring my coffee I watch the sunrise a little bit higher reaching the height of the day I suppose and yet traces of darkness still blankets the forest in my neck of the woods soothing sun glistening sky calming the soft ripples on the lake oh look baby ducks are arriving Written by Yolanda Nicholsen May 27th 2024