The Lake
There is a lake that freezes
once only in a lifetime. Too distant
to be seen from shore although
the lake is small and could be shouted over
on a day the wind is right. The centre
holds an island, squat as a bronze boss
on a silver shimmering shield.
It is miles from the nearest village,
shaded from the sun by a neat
half-moon of craggy, treeless mountains
and is a place you would not visit twice.
But come when weather warnings
have cleared the paths of weekend walkers
and all the native birds have passed you
on their journey south and you might find
the water fastened down with ice.
And if you choose to make the walk
don't stop. The surface cracks
and mutters at your back. Speed up,
keep the looming island in your sight,
the freeze will hold you only once.
*Ben Parker was born in 1982 and completed a creative writing MA at UEA in 2008. He now lives and works in Oxford. His poetry has been published in a number of places, including Staple, Iota, Eyewear, and Neon.
