I come to the lake
to wait for you
to remind me
of you and
of myself.
As I sit on the shore
of my little beloved lake
and feel the gentle breeze
on my face,
and the sun warm me
from without and from within,
I am reminded of
your gentleness
that calls to me
even now,
from afar,
and I feel calm
and whole.
As I gaze upon the mountains
and imagine
their uplift
through the earth’s
core and mantle
over millions of years
I am reminded of your
strength
and courage,
your tenacity and
perseverance
through the arduous trials
that you faced
and I feel stronger
and more courageous
to face my own battles
with you at my core.
As I hear the birdsong
wafting across the lake,
echoing in reply
from the trees and bushes
I am reminded of
the song you kept in your heart
and the joy you brought to mine,
and I feel more open
to create harmonies
to bring joy to my own
life and those whom
I hold dear.
As I wait calmly
on the shore of
the lake of my life,
I am reminded of
your patience
amidst all the tumult
in your path
and I feel stronger
knowing
that I come from you.
Your gentleness
feeds my calm.
Your strength
infuses my courage.
Your patience
builds my constancy.
I come to the lake
to wait for you
to remind me
of you and
of myself.
Jennifer Gurney lives in Colorado where she teaches, paints, writes and hikes. She is a newly published poet with more than 450 poems published in 2022 and 2023. Jennifer’s poetry has appeared in a variety of journals, including The Ravens Perch, HaikUniverse, Haiku Corner, Cold Moon Journal, Scarlet Dragonfly and The Haiku Foundation.
