Dying Pond

Nymphaea lilies crowd a receding pond, detail of mural,
AVR 2010 Courtesy of Atty and Dr Doria

Abe V Rotor

"Death be not proud," this dreaded fate defied;
In death beauty rises at its side,
As on a dying pond, a swamp in its place
Grows, dying in peace and grace.

And the watery grave dries into grassland
Where roam the hoofs and paws in band;
And the winged sweep the air, retreating
On the trees nearby, and advancing.

One by one trees come when the wind blows,
They ride on furs, beaks and claws;
A woodland soon rises from the trees' breath
And hides the pond, the grass and death.~


The Edge of the Forest, AVR 2011