At Lake Lucerne - August 2018

for Kathinka The day began as if it had no promises to keep: the morning sky frowned over a darkened lake shore. The air was chilled by the early departure of summer, and the only warmth resided in human hearts. The day began as if it had no gifts to give or receive: Song-birds were reluctant to sing, and withdrew into their leafy sanctuaries. Forest creatures stayed seep within the shelter of trees, matching their movements to the stillness. You paused, leaning against a rock, and meditated, eyes closed, and an invisible door opened. When you opened your eyes, two huge swans were next to you. They were combing their feathers, slowly, majestically. And when they spred their wings, they almost touched you. How close you came to flight at that moment. How close to thought they came at that moment. You and the two swans shared a moment of union as you mingled your live into the larger life of nature. An invisible door had opened, and neither animal nor human has closed it.