The water surface has now separated in the pond

Leaving a patchwork of solids and clear areas from

Edge to edge - a dizzying mozaic of sludge drifting

Even the ducks and the geese no longer are sifting



For they've fully soiled the area and have now gone

To pollute other places where they can sing songs

And the pond is left to deal with its own revamping

As walkers-by gaze at the erosion of the damn thing



Wondering how long it'll take to look once again habitable

And the other birds and water-animals will return to dabble

Enjoying the quiet peace and solitude offered in the park

Until the Canadian Geese return to infiltrate and make dark



- Tristram



(c) Christopher W. Thomas

10:17am Thurs. Sept. 17th, 1998