I came upon a frozen pond; it seemed the perfect slate to pen my dreams, as if etched in sparkling glass.
If I were young, the blades of my skates would tell the story, all the dashing back and forth across the ice.
I am older now, and there are other stories to be told; the chalk is softer, glides easy on the slate of the imagination.
The winter sky above is gray; I remember days gone by, my feet tread so lightly through the white, ponderous snow.
Strange, the pace is slower now, but the dreams still run wild, ponies set free in a valley of green.
The frozen pond is lovely; the chalk is on my fingers, and I leave fingerprints wherever I go.
I hear some birds in the woods, and then, a hush; the holly berries are such a welcome sight.
I survey the pond, think of how it will be come spring; I think of the frogs croaking on a summer night.
All is still, you know; the silence is quite incredible.
Funny, how the frozen ice will melt away, like cobwebs dusted clean in springtime.
The pond is always changing, something new becoming day by day.
Is it my own reflection that I see on this winter’s day?
I behold a vision of what could be; perhaps, this frozen pond is a looking glass.
The slate is crystal clear; I brush the chalk from my fingers, and start again.
It is such a beautiful winter day; the gray sky is but a backdrop, the frozen pond, framed in ethereal light.
The dreams quiver, ice crystals that shimmer before my eyes; powdery snow, like chalk wiped from a board, falls from the sky.
I came upon a frozen pond; it seemed the perfect slate to pen my dreams, as if etched in glass.
Beneath my feet, I feel the sudden shift of ice; the spring thaw will come, the frozen pond, a pool of shimmering water.
Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I also am known.”
Beautiful.
Thank you! We are at that place where the seasons are changing. Spring is just around the corner! We expect freezing rain tonight, but yesterday, we had much warmer weather. I am ready for those frozen fields and ponds to thaw! 🙂
Spring is knocking on our doors here in Vancouver. A lovely reflection and fabulous photos.
I love that thought…that spring is knocking at our doors! May it be soon as we are ready for the change of seasons, ready to begin a new chapter in our lives.
“but the dreams still run wild” I love that thought! In my mind I can still skate that pond or travel around the world. The very idea keeps me excited to be alive.
Although we do grow older, our dreams are still the same. I like to think we are not so very different from our youthful selves…wiser in some ways, perhaps, simply because we have skated around the ‘pond’ time and again. We do learn from the times we fell through the ice, the ground beneath our feet, not so secure. But the allure of the ice, the wind in our faces, the adventure at hand, remains a constant for as long as we live.
Beautiful piece
Dreaming of spring! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I am so ready for the season to change! It reminds of of the endless possibilities that we have in this world. Thanks for this beautiful post, Linda!
Yes, we do have endless possibilities! That is a very good point. Sometimes, we forget that when we become winter-weary…springtime is really a frame of mind we must cling to, regardless of the season.
thank you for a wondrous journey to your frozen pond! Love your repetitions and your duck pics are delightful … a cheery reminder that all seasons change 🙂
I have a great many duck pictures! So cute! Looking forward to that shimmering water…without ice! 🙂
lol I bet you are, meanwhile your iced lake helps me feel cool 🙂
Thank you, Linda for taking me there. God’s warm grip – Alan
I am waiting for the thaw…Already, I am looking at summer bulbs to plant. One day at a time!
I really enjoyed your meditation on the pond and the wonder it inspires. I wrote a poem recently called “Once Discovered” about a similar experience with a pond in the woods across the street from our house.
We watched a National Geographic documentary on the Grand Canyon not long ago. One of the members on the team of hikers remarked about the reflections of the Canyon on the water. He said something to the effect that,”Reflections in the Grand Canyon are like seeing some kind of divine intervention.” Reflections on the water do have a mesmerizing appearance. In this piece on ‘The Looking Glass’, I am looking at myself as a young person, and now, as someone much older. We see ourselves differently, but we still have our dreams. That does not change with time. (You are fortunate to live across the street from a pond!) And, I love your poems, so heartfelt, a reflection of your own heart!
Thank you, Linda. I turn to writing poetry when I can’t express what is in my heart any other way.
Your gift is the ability to express so much in just a few lines; you have a poet’s heart. I am so glad that you share that…the heartstrings of a poet can change the world. And, right now, the world is more in need of that than ever.
Thank you again, Linda. I’m humbled.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Beautiful piece, Linda. Thank you for sharing. Spring is feeling a little closer every day!
I don’t want to say that I am counting down the days til spring…I like to enjoy what each season offers. But, this year in the midst of the pandemic, I cannot wait to see some tulips blooming!
Those photos are just beautiful. They remind me of Wendell Berry and Into the Peace of Wild Things.
These wild things do bring us peace! 🙂 ( I have many more of these duck photos!)
I remember another one of your duck photos from a post last year, I think. It came on a day when I had been busy and stressed. But one look at the duck, and world became a better place.
I guess this is my way of saying, Bring on those ducks!
Yes! They are happy little creatures! 🙂
Oh Linda, your words paint such a beautiful picture. We see dimly here in these shadowlands, but the glimpses of God’s glory which slice through are so brilliant bright. Like the glory of the frozen pond through the seasons. Thank you for sharing your gift of words and faith!
You are so right, Melissa…glimmers of heaven shine through in the ordinary places. One day the fog will clear completely; God has made everything perfect in its proper time.
We can see so much in the water, even when it’s frozen. A lovely meditation.
Yes! It is mesmerizing to watch the water…be it a pond, or a lake, or the ocean. Yesterday, I walked the dog in the rain. Even the puddles have a certain magic!
Yes, they do.
🙂 🙂 🙂