Our Return to Old Washoe Lake
Our Return to Old Washoe Lake
I.
We spent the month indoors hiding from germs
where work and school have met a changing tide,
I tried to fight, not giving into ride,
to live a life where I can set the terms.
Though action found there was no real control
that these events are larger than my mind
the answers to these problems hard to find
the stress and worry taking out its toll.
My thoughts begin to move around the sage
to places where my happiness was great
the joy of children playing in the lake.
A time in spring when chicks would fill our cage
and Turkeys roamed our yard to wait their fate,
outside an occasional rattlesnake.
II.
We hike to private beach along the road
and stumble on the rocks to reach the crest
of murky wave on sand where we will rest
and I will sit, my mind off heavy load.
A mother Quail hurries across our path
with young following behind every step
as we carry to beach our hurried prep
as children run into natural bath.
We are alone to play on Washoe Lake
my youngest floats on raft while sister pulls
from in front sharing laughs tender smiles.
A respite from the world memories make
the reflection off wave or screams of gulls
the movement of our lives through unknown miles.
III.
So many days we’ve spent on murky lake
to swim in shadow of Slide Mountain peak
where songbird nests, up high, protect the meek
from tip of wave our splashing seems to make.
We know we will survive with days like this,
there is someone listening to my prayers,
to allow children moment without cares
to not think about death or who we miss.
Though world may change around us as we play,
in lake, in valley I have called my home,
we float and stare into the sky above.
We stay away from making of new day
to dig our fingers into Washoe loam
to re-examine terms of native lore.
IV.
My responsibility within reach,
a quick swim out, into the murky waves
where underfoot lies Rainbow Trouts lost graves,
these children playing on this hidden beach.
I hope that when you grow into adults
to fight with all your strength for better world
and grip heavy ideals before there hurled
into the crowd with faith in fair results.
Please understand that I am just a man
whose goal to share the beauty of this lake
and build within you memories of land.
This valley holds the dreams of my life plan,
a valley to call home my only stake,
a private beach where children play in sand.
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Washoe Lake is a wonderful place to build memories with family. We often go there to picnic and absorb nature. Great work on these verses, Jamie. I enjoyed reading.
Thank you Phyllis. I will always hold Washoe Valley close to my heart it was the first place I settled and called my families home. Jamie