"Ode to Lake Crystal "

 

"Ode to Lake Crystal"

Greg Budig 2020

Placed lonely on the 

edge of town. 

Forgotten oasis.

Celebrated by none.

Except by salamanders,

minnows and reeds. 

The city rests on one side. 

Trees and farmland 

nestled on what's left. 

That is Lake Crystal. 

The water shimmers.

Morning light over 

the grain elevator.

Casting it's reflection 

upon the cattails and coots.

Rippling out across the 

prairie flat water.

Soft breezes flowing 

down Atlantic Avenue,

across Kjenstad park

and into the bay.

Further out the water 

spreads to each shoreline.

Widening into the 

main expanse of it all. 

A tree covered island floats 

alone in the distance.

Never been lived on. 

Never been owned. 

The island trees lash like 

ship sails during brief 

summer storms. 

Autumn stirs across 

the turning, steel blue 

waters. Brown and 

gold spread to the 

islands ancient trees. 

The air is now thick with 

migration.  Divers and

dabblers heading south. 

 Evening comes, skies 

explode into goose song.

Strange 

 to call it "Crystal ".

Too shallow for a lake. 

For a pond it's way too large. 

A playground for pelicans,

muskrats and frogs. 

A place of solitude for 

those who choose to stop. 

An abundance of 

discoveries 

for those who 

choose 

to stay. 

The End