View From the Shore

View from the Shore By David E. Siegel Copyright (c) 2004 Above the lake, the angry clouds are ranked Darkening the day with threats of rain. Below, the wind has raised up little waves Marching, row on row, towards the shore. And on the farther shore, the trees are seen: Near black between the lake and cloudy sky. The light attempts to pierce the veil of sky: The near clouds part, but not as clear it’s ranked For through the hole, more clouds can yet be seen To further emphasize the chance of rain. I look out, from the slope above the shore And watch the day, the clouds, the little waves. Perhaps no storm impends, because the waves And not so large and strong; because the sky Includes the front-lit clouds; because the shore is dark but clear, and where the trees stand ranked their outlines are not blurred by sheets of rain but clearly can their silhouette be seen. There is more here than that which can be seen. Not only on the water are there waves A spirit can be drenched – or cleansed – by rain; Be bound to earth, or flutter through the sky. Now shall I be with fools or wise men ranked? And shall I drown, or safely swim to shore? And what shall be there waiting on the shore? The future, I should know, cannot be seen It can’t be safely filed and neatly ranked Times changes come upon one as great waves or tiny ripples. A light may pierce the sky only to be masked by pouring rain. I know that over fate I do not reign. Only a fool believes the future sure, Regardless of the world; thinks that the scene His fancy paints, is writ upon the sky. I daresay I shall not with such be ranked All title as a prophet I shall waive. What have I seen within this stormy sky? And In the waves that endless lap the shore? Times are unique, not ranked, each holding sun and rain. -DES Feb 2004