Swan Lake Sanctuary

I have stood

At this makeshift altar

Where arborists preach

To the clueless and converted

The lake below

Was once a dumping ground

For the old winery’s dregs

Or so I have heard

Here, eagles, blackbirds, ducks, geese

But no swans,

Find sanctuary,

Mating for life

This is where he and I came,

Him capturing me

Through his lens

Somehow he saw into the future

Our bodies facing each other

Saying, “I will plant myself

Here with you”

Letting our roots intertwine

See what grows;

We both shifted our schedules

To be here,

Altered our agendas,

Let the past sink

Into the dark earth;

Around our feet,

Tumble petals

From aged bouquets

Of ruby and rose      

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October 4, 2017