Emil Schultz

A Summer Dream

Floating at eighty kilometers per hour

along the narrow undulating ribbon

that transcends the arid landscape

into a gentle sweeping right curve

that marks the beginning of the ascent

up the soft incline of the south fork

of two the mountain ridges that form

the arms that create a firmly held hollow

in the hourglass shape of Silverwood Lake.

 

Gliding around a smooth wide bend

slowly climbing above the parched desert floor,

invigorated by the crispness of the cool alpine air.

In this world who could ever ask for more.

 

Suddenly bursting into my view

at the base of the long rocky slope

the grandeur of the deep sapphire blue

hourglass shape of Silverwood Lake

 

A precious jewel held in giant arms

Sparkling joyfully in early morning light

with the sun’s yellow white rays

shimmering and dancing playfully

on her satin smooth surface

 

The long white wake of a single boat

streaking across her outstretched limbs

beckons to me, like the song of a siren,

to hasten into her waiting arms  

and plunge into her cool embrace .

 

Long lines of summertime visitors

delay my enthusiastic rendezvous

my excited anticipation is not quelled

one after another they are let in

 or turned away

to come again on another day.

 

Approaching the gated entrance

I and my uniform are recognized

with the rangers greeting 

and waving me across the barrier

into the park

 

I am welcomed with a cool soft breeze

wafting up the gradual sloping hill

like an invitation from the lake

to follow the gentle downhill curve

sweeping left to the launch ramp below

and home