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Sitting By a Full Lake

Sitting By a Full Lake

by Michèle LaRose

I perch on a metal bench, a few steps from Lake Ontario
Sitting beside this giant beast engorged with spring rain,

Heaving, breathing, the lake strains to overflow
Teasing with the creep of oncoming waves, constant

Delicate flowers turn slowly on the low far shore
All well out of sync but generating power nevertheless

Sailboats glide as rocks resist repeated slaps of water
And seagulls screech out to quacking ducks in flight

An outboard motor screams by, a jarring note in the bliss
Another reminder of the wake we leave

Beloved Lake Ontario, full of promise and danger
A source of energy to anyone open to your power.

About this Poem

Michèle LaRose is a visual artist who has come to poetry only recently. From a military family, this is the third time she has lived in Kingston: once when she was seven, again for university and finally to help out aging parents. She now calls it home with her husband (who writes the Max Dexter mystery series, which are available at KFPL). Visit her website at www.michelelarose.ca.

About the Poetry Blackboard

The Poetry Blackboard showcases poems curated by Kingston's Poet Laureate and written by Kingston poets. There's a new poem every month, written by poets living and dead, historical and contemporary, published and unpublished, adults and children, giving full range to the cultural voice of Kingston. Started in 2015 by Helen Humphreys, the Poetry Blackboard has been continued since 2019 by Jason Heroux.

We wish to thank Helen Humphreys, Kingston's second Poet Laureate, for her generous support of emerging and established poets in Kingston through library programming and our Poetry Blackboard project. Throughout her four years as Poet Laureate, Helen curated a digital collection of poetry to showcase the talents of local creators of all ages, both historic and contemporary. Helen also offered several opportunities for emerging poets to develop their craft, offering group workshops and one-on-one mentorship. Her active engagement with the library and community has been greatly appreciated.

In 2019 we welcomed the incoming Poet Laureate, Jason Heroux, who continues to curate the Poetry Blackboard and to develop new community programming.

Previously Published Poems