A March Afternoon at the Reservoir
One of those times spent spectating the sun
The trees are still a sea of shivering gray bones,
only the evergreen needles show signs of life
down here beneath the cloudless sky. It's not spring yet,
but we’re wearing our shorts because the air feels warm,
the sun feels so much closer than it has in months.
Our bodies stretched out across the gray wooden dock,
we watch the underbellies of Canadian geese
bobbing like white buoys on surface of the lake
until at last their sleek ebony necks emerge.
She stands and kicks her shoes off, “Come on, let’s jump in!”
And I roll my eyes, “You’re crazy, it’s way too cold.”
The couple lounging on the rocky ledge above
is staring at us now, the girl puts her copy
of The Tempest aside. “Pretty please,” my friend begs.
I shake my head, but sidle my way to the edge
and dip my wiggling toes into the frigid pond,
my best show of support. She shrugs and leaps, airborne,
then swallowed whole, splashing me with icy droplets.
She shrieks as she resurfaces, and I just laugh
as the ripples she made pulse around my numb toes,
Perfect spheres expanding larger from a small core
Like the celestial ones we both resemble
Now I realize how near the sun really is,
For she shares its fierce fire, and I’m a basking moon.
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Comments (10)
A vivid portrayal of that memorable afternoon. I really like: “ we watch the underbellies of Canadian geese bobbing like white buoys on surface of the lake until at last their sleek ebony necks emerge.”
Oh damn, DK, this is beautiful. I love the abandon in this and the poetic energy, flow and word choices. Such a stunning piece of poetry. I say it a lot, but you are one of my favourite writers on this platform for a reason. Looking through the submissions now, will let you know in the comments of the one I decide to go with, which one it is! Thank you for sharing such a stunning piece!
I love this poem. It's a celebration of nature and friendship.
Such a delightful poem! ‘ shake my head, but sidle to the edge and dip my foot into the frigid pond,’ Smart person! It’s just starting to get cooler her in Oz!
Awww, this was just so wonderful! Loved your poem!
Lovely, D.K. It left me feeling humbled yet satisfied.
Loved this! A beautifully expressed breath of spring! The last line was a master stroke! "She shares its fire, and I’m a basking moon."
Gorgeous, this really captures a moment so wonderfully. I feel cold and warmed at once.
Those last 2 lines are pure genius. Not that they'd have been the same without the others, of course. Really a peaceful, refreshing read.
I love this, D.K.! I love the peace of nature and the warmth that spring is bringing. I love the fact that your friend jumps in with exuberance. I love the fact there's a girl reading "The Tempest"! It's so playful and then you make it all universal with your last two lines, like there's a timelessness to it that spans eternity. Lovely.