Lakes of Darkness, A Poem by John Coyne (Ethiopia 1962-64)
Lakes of Darkness In Memory of A.J. Montesi He came to this green shore From loneliness of bachelor nights, Empty Sundays, A year of failing dreams, Mirrored into miseries. From semesters of faculty treachery, Misdemeanors in the hall. Months of silly students, Who turned his kindness Into youthful gall. A little man, Who wears his age with grace; He brought to me A spirit bent from a life of Use. We slid the books aside; Fished for trout off the point. I caught a fighting rainbow Who fought my arching pole Desperate for its life. Another trout flipped in space for flies Then slid again to darkness. That slap of water brought To mind our own fixed lives. He saw himself In a shrinking world Where good men fashion Wars with words. I knew his history As I know my own. We all have lakes of darkness, Not to seek in refuge, But . . .
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Beautiful! I especially love "Not to seek in refuge, But to light with love."