MOUNTAIN TARN

by Patricia Hodgkiss

Jade,
From a Chinese war Lord,
Greenstone,
From a Maori chief.
Aquamarines,
Turquoise, and emeralds,
Colour
Your pellucid depths.

Black birches
Line your shore,
Grey duck
Ruffle your serenity,
And on
The shingle of your beach,
Snail-shells …
Tender and fragile
As a waking dream.