And the Waters Live

lillian

Ghost riders no longer hover.
Train tracks dismantled long ago
phantom posts reveal their route. 

I did not mind their crossing,
if they could have glided silently
like parrot fish within my realms
or shape shifter clouds above.

It was the daily clatter,
metal wheels on transom
wide-open window chatter
reverberating rumbles.

I much prefer the quiet.
Hikers who gaze,
mesmerized by lapping waters,
sun glisten upon my face.

Occasional thunderstorms
pelt rain upon my scenic demeanor.
Rarer still, they apologize
reflecting rainbow arcs in smiles.


Posted for dVerse, the virtual pub for poets where today Mish asks us to “give nature a voice.” Photo from Bermuda — along the Old Railway Trail. The Bermuda Railway operated from October 1931 until May, 1948. The hiking trail stops and starts on various parts of the islands that make up Bermuda — with ruins of stations, trestles, and roadcuts. Pub opens at 3 PM Boston time. Stop on by! 

46 thoughts on “And the Waters Live”

    • lillian March 28, 2017 / 4:15 pm

      Thank you, Bjorn. I love this comment…..Your words are truly appreciated here.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Bev March 28, 2017 / 4:06 pm

    A gentle reminder of times past. Love the photo, love the words!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 28, 2017 / 4:15 pm

      Thank you, Bev. So glad you enjoyed.

      Like

      Reply
  6. Misky March 28, 2017 / 4:20 pm

    “shape shifter clouds” – that’s wonderful. I love watching clouds.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:09 am

      I think they would feel the reverberations — almost like sound waves under water. That’s a guess. Don’t know for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Glenn Buttkus March 28, 2017 / 5:10 pm

    Water as heroine–a wonderful creativity. Your vast travels very much enrich your word smithing. Envious of your sojourns, but grateful for your sharing. Really dig the image of midnight ghost trains tear-assing over those pillars.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:09 am

      Oh you always make me smile, Glenn. Glad you enjoyed!

      Like

      Reply
  10. kim881 March 28, 2017 / 5:47 pm

    You’ve gleaned so much inspiration from Bermuda, Lillian, and I won’t ever tire of reading about it – I know I’ll never go there myself and it looks so beautiful in the photographs you’ve shared.
    I love the voice of the water and that final line is gorgeous: ‘reflecting rainbow arcs in smiles’ 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:11 am

      Bermuda is definitely my muse 🙂 Easter Sunday we leave for cruises that will take us to Lisbon, Portugal; the Norwegian Fjords; Ireland and Iceland. My guess is that I will be awestruck by the fjords. The photos on the website are gorgeous! 🙂 I imagine some fjords will make their way to my posts 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • kim881 March 29, 2017 / 2:21 am

        I will look forward to fjords, Lillian. I lived in Ireland for a couple of years, in Navan and Kells, and my daughter was born in Dublin. While in Dublin, go to the university to see the Book of Kells and try to visit Newgrange if you get the chance.

        Like

    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:12 am

      How does the saying go? “Still waters run deep.” 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  12. Mish March 28, 2017 / 7:10 pm

    Oh I love the reflective voice of the water sharing more than just a story, but almost a personality as it shares emotions in remembrance, appreciation for solitude. I think this is wise water indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:13 am

      Wise and wonderful, life giving especially in Bermuda where roofs gather the rain, which “pinballs” down into a cistern below the house and then is pumped up for drinking water, showers, etc. There is no source of fresh water in Bermuda so they are environmentalists par excellance! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  13. kanzensakura March 28, 2017 / 8:08 pm

    Very wise water! I love the gentle voice of the water and how it speaks of “shape shifter” clouds. How wonderful to lie and watch the clouds all day like the water. thank you for sharing Bermuda with us although, this water could be anywhere. I guess all water bodies are sisters.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:14 am

      “All water bodies are sisters.” LOVELY thought! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this one.

      Like

      Reply
  14. Waltermarks March 28, 2017 / 8:51 pm

    Bermuda must be a wonderful place. I’ve always wanted to go. The tranquility of your verse and picture illustrate such quiet reverie. To think I was raised in Miami and never wanted to venture to the islands, what a waste. Your poem has taken us there, at least a little bit

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:15 am

      Every face has a demeanor, right? So personifying the water…it has a sun glisten face 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  17. rosemawrites March 28, 2017 / 11:35 pm

    the speaking water is as class and elegant as it is. and wise too I must say. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian March 29, 2017 / 12:16 am

      Such kind words you’ve written here. Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • rosemawrites March 29, 2017 / 1:33 am

        awwww. thank you and you’re welcome, Ms. Lill!

        Like

  20. sarahsouthwest March 29, 2017 / 9:20 am

    I did not mind their crossing,
    if they could have glided silently
    like parrot fish within my realms
    or shape shifter clouds above

    I love this! Such serenity.

    If you are in Dublin, try to do the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. It’s a great evening. You might have to book tickets in advance. My husband is a Dub, so we go there relatively often, but tend to have relative time rather than tourist time. We made an effort to do the pub crawl last summer and really enjoyed it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Kathy Reed March 29, 2017 / 9:47 am

    I love the first line…it set the tone for the rest of the poem; I could understand how the lake felt.

    Like

    Reply
  22. Imelda March 29, 2017 / 1:15 pm

    Your piece made me think about how development affects nature. I like the contrast between the noise of the train and the silence of the hiker.

    Like

    Reply
  23. Dr. Crystal Howe March 29, 2017 / 3:31 pm

    I enjoyed this, especially the last 2 lines and the idea of memories. The land holds all things…

    Like

    Reply
  24. Adda March 30, 2017 / 9:16 pm

    I very much enjoyed this one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian April 2, 2017 / 9:13 am

      So glad you enjoyed. And delighted to see you here. Many thanks!!!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment