River and Lake

The blustering wind echoes through the trees

Swishing branches in the rain seemed to roam 

Lilies waving greetings by the rushing weir

Rough rock faces looking, as if there just to tease

Glimpsing through the torrents and the foam.

Swans and ducks paddling the ruffled lake near

Starlings designing the sky, swooping as if to please

Before flying for a new life in an autumn home,

Murmurating acrobats: singing a melody of cheer

A little white egret by the bank feeding in the breeze

A moorhen slicing water, calling like a metronome

A black squirrel vanishing in the thicket by the mere

Dappled muntjac in the wood resting in the gloam

This treasured place, I’m here to be at peace, alone

 © Christopher 2025

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