INNISFREE GARDEN
We went back to
Innisfree today. One hundred fifty acres surrounding a lake, sectioned into
"cup gardens". We begin on the path which circles the lake, but
frequently meander up soft grassy slopes or stone steps, pausing at each
vignette. We step over trickling water or cross on a narrow wooden bridge, get
sprayed by mist from a water spout, listen to the gurgle as water splays down
rocks and into a basin.
Butterflies,
bumblebees, dragon flies, humming birds seek out the nectar on Joe Pye weed,
black eyed Susans, goldenrod, and other flowers secreted in between rocks. Tall
grasses bend, swishing lightly, along the lake. Rock plinths and mounds create
shadows and shape my imagination. Lotus and water lilies color one end of the
lake.
small ripples
from a dragonfly
a pause to rest
air bubbles
breaking through
the lake's surface
all that lies
hidden
A heron poised on a lily pad maintains its
position long after I take its picture. Ferns fill the bogs. We cross a bridge spanning a channel in the
lake and continue on the path, now bulging with tree roots.
uphill walk
the rough path
eases
into the
promised view
sultry
heat
cooling
reflections
in
the lake
World Haiku Review, June 2015
