through the golden morning
while the heat hangs above
sun brightens bushes
festooned in flame and gold
though it’s only August
Issue 24.2: November 2022
through the golden morning
while the heat hangs above
sun brightens bushes
festooned in flame and gold
though it’s only August
summers at the lake we sat and watched
the birds dip over the water and waited
occasionally I allowed myself a thought
what would it be like to walk on water
would I need a special type of footwear
should I take my clothes off without sunblock
nothing ever came of those musings except
the times you put your arm on my shoulder
those were the days when I believed myself
to be loved and all the world hung together
now it is winter and I am alone without you
where you are and on whose shoulder your arm
remains as much a mystery as then when
I wondered how you could love a pup like me
today the lake is bitter cold solid white
I stare straight ahead and imagine a bird
flying across the water in search of food left
next to the ice fisherman’s hut in the center
of the frozen lake where the ice is a foot thick
I realize now how easy it is to walk on water Continue reading “Phillip Periman: At the Lake”