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 life beneath the cloudless sky, but we’re
wearing our shorts because the air feels warm,
the sun feels closer than it has in months.
Bodies stretched out across the wooden dock,
we watch the white underbellies of some
Canadian geese bobbing on the lake
until their sleek, long necks emerge. She stands
and kicks her shoes off, “Come on, let’s jump in!”
And I say, “You’re crazy, it’s way too cold.”
The couple on the rocky ledge above
are staring now, the girl puts her copy
of The Tempest aside. “Please” my friend begs.
I shake my head, but sidle to the edge
and dip my foot into the frigid pond,
my best show of support. She shrugs and leaps
splashing me with icy droplets. She shrieks
as she breaks the surface, and I just laugh
as the ripples pulse around my numb toes,
spheres expanding larger from a small core
Like celestial ones we resemble
I realize just how near the sun is,
She shares its 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Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now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.
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Reader insights
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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 (8)
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.