Turner, H. A.

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Water-Colors On A PondThere was a pond in the king's garden,Tiled with blue porcelain and filled with Golden carp, which grew to a certain size,And no larger.Years passed, and the pond grew murky With algae. A brown scum crawled over The blue porcelain; lilies took root And sent up slender stems to float Broad green pads and yellow blossoms.The golden carp swam in the cool brown water, Growing older but no bigger,Their bodies wise to limits.The water-skin reflected the sky,Its brown depths backing a mirror Of white clouds, blue zenith,Across which faintly golden shadows slid And water-striders skimmed.Dragon-flies and damselflies And caddisflies and mayflies,Mosquitoes and water-boatmen,Whirligigs and frogs bequeathed Their generations here.The porcelain cracked and moisture oozed To the surrounding soil;The feeding stream overspread its channel,And cat-tails grew, and wild iris.The king's son, skilled in engineering,Came to the pond.He groaned at the weed-choked,Bug-ridden mess, and called for his Tractors and dredgers and tilers.The pond was restored to its pristine blue,Its surface sprinkled daily with scientific pellets Designed to maintain good health in fishes.The golden carp swam in clear water Over cool, blue porcelain, growing Older but no bigger,Their bodies wise to limits.—  H. E. Turner Seattle, WA12

Water-Colors on a Pond

http://ddd.uab.cat/pub/wormwood/wormwood_a1973v13n1i49/wormwood_a1973v13n1i49p12.pdf

Water-Colors on a Pond

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