Where Legends Sleep in Waters Deep
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Water, dark and flat, stretches out
From ruined gate and threshold.
Twisted branches dead and dark,
Boulders rock and rubble;
All that is left of once tall gates of stone
And fair trees of ancient holly.
In my mind I hear once more
The words of ancient tales and songs—
A host of snakes and a watcher in the water.
Dark water boiling and a cry for help.
—Echoes from another time,
Another age of this cold dark world.
Did something stir in the lake just now?
It must surely have been a fish. Just a fish!
But have I not heard that before?
It was nothing; it could not have been anything!
Is that a ripple at the southern end?
No… But it is coming closer,
It's just the wind! But there is no wind.
It was just a story! A fire side tale.
I came but to see in passing, and now I will go!
I will leave this cold wet place and go! If I can.
The water bars my way. I must go through it.
But I can't … This is nonsense!
I came through before; I can go back the same way!
Is something behind me? No, there is nothing!
I cannot turn! I will not turn!
Just run! Run and it will be gone!
There is nothing!…But I will run all the same.
Written January 2009