Mine Is the Only Life I Know.

I stand clear of
but near brush
that sweeps the water’s
edge.
Before me,
a gentle,
narrowing pool
floated with strange flowers
dissolves into waiting reeds
that claim the shallows
of a not-so-far-off,
final shore.

During my remaining
while this dusk,
I’ll witness each
petalled smile
to guess
which colour might
offend
or which appeases
approaching night.
I cannot for a moment be
free as these lillies.
I pause alone,
they drift alone.
Of course,
that fact displeases me.