Reflections in the water pass,
And so too do the days
Of all the years within my life
Not memory left, but haze.

As the wind blows gently now,
The ripples in the lake
Remind me of the decisions
Which I have had to make.

My life's a blur, just like the grass
Over the water clear,
I can't see single blades alone
Unless I am quite near.

But to get close to those events
Within my memory,
I'd have to cross that lake of tears
Before each blade I'd see.

But I am not quite ready yet,
To swim, for I might drown
In waters deep, before I get
To write my feelings down.

So I'll look up above the grass
to flowers in the sun.
Each flower is a special time
When something I have won.

To my surprise I see a field
Of flowers over there
Bright specs amongst the blur of grass
They grow without a care.

The memory now of days gone by
Has filled my eyes with tears
And into water now I plunge
Forgetting all my fears.

I have now reached the other bank,
I lie down on the grass,
I look up through the eucalypts
And watch the clouds go past.

I notice through the branches high,
I see each single leaf 
So clearly now I've crossed the lake,
And this brings me relief.

But the trees are memories too
Each one a linking theme
Compared to trees each flower is
Like a forgotten dream

I find a flower, look at it,
The closest one in reach.
I wonder what this memory
Within it has to teach.

A smiling face from long ago
A tear within an eye
A hand held out in friendship shown
A baby starts to cry.

Just images of what has been
A life of memories
The clouds pass over rippling lake
And flowers grass and trees

But somehow through these metaphors
Another thing is shown
And because I have closed my eyes
I only hear the groan.

With opened eyes I see the lake
Reflecting sky and sun
And as I look around I see
Not something, but someone.

I hesitate but then I walk
Until I'm at her side
Then I sit down right next to her,
For she has also cried.

At first she tries to turn away,
But then she sees the tears
Are on my face as well as hers
And this relieves her fears

And although she starts to cry again
These tears are shed in trust,
And though I try hard not to do,
To cry again I must

The mumbled words explaining tears
Now drift over the lake
And prayers are said to God above
For one more soul to take

Now as the sun has gone away
And the first star appears
I see on the face next to me
A smile through the tears.

Lloyd McLean (1993)

This poem is part of the Horses and Things collection