Magnetawan Lake Poem by Holmes Jim

Out for a ride upon my favorite lake,
Crossing its length, at a leisurely gait,
Paddling with purpose, steadily and slow,
Feeling the solitude, the further I row,

Out for a weekend to leave worries behind,
And strike my camp to escape for a time,
I'll stay for awhile, at least a few nights,
Pitching my tent on my favorite sites,

Watching the loons in summers light,
Diving for fish out of sight,
Down below the shimmering lake,
Then back to the surface to ride the wake,

Off in the distance paddlers go by,
Under the painted turquoise sky,
I gesture a wave as they make their way,
Till they fade away, in the glare of the day,

Waves laps at the waters edge,
Wetting the rocks on the rocky ledge,
An eagle sores with wings spread,
Obscuring for a moment, the sun overhead,

Skipping a pebble across the lake,
I count ripples as they dissipate,
Chucking another, I watch it skid,
A game I played when I was a kid,

I find it peaceful out here, alone,
In this place I come to, when not at home,
Where I pass the time and take a break,
Enjoying the offerings of Magnetawan Lake.