GUILFORD — §Go to the edge where there once was a pond.
§It was Sweet to behold. Wish I had a magic wand
§to show you the riches that nobody owned:
§gone now, drawn down to mud-skin and bones.
* * *
§Without Sweet Pond, I guess, the sky will not fall.
§Without Sweet Pond, no one's talking urban sprawl.
§Without Sweet Pond, there's always death and taxes.
§Without Sweet Pond, the moon still wanes and waxes,
* * *
§Though we won't see her face reflected on the water
§heron's high and dry. Dam gone! No thought for
§loss of love .... in a small pond.
* * *
§We dreamed up The Tempest on the banks long ago.
§Our whole town gathered dazzled by the show - “The
§cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces.” Over the
§ripples Shakespeare in mist.
* * *
§Sweet Pond Winter skates against the ice.
§Sweet Pond Spring peeper's Paradise.
§Sweet Pond Summer soft against your skin.
§Sweet Pond Autumn change in the wind
* * *
§And you won't see the future reflected in the water. The
§mud flats are dry. Dam gone! No thought for
§The loss of time ... in a small pond.
* * *
§Kingfisher diving, beavers slapped their tails,
§dipping at the surface, dragonflies sailed.
§Kids caught tadpoles: wonder never ceased.
§Beyond... blue blazes, lovers took their ease.
* * *
§You won't hear laughter echo off the water
§Till our voices rise. Dam gone.
§It's a long shot for Love ... of a small pond.