Old meadow lake

Ive often gazed with pleasure by the edge 
Of the old meadow lake floodwashed & crookd, 
The water rat slow rustling in the sedge 
The fish ring wavering in the clear I've looked 
In rapture on the mellow summer shine 
Of the still water gleaming in the sun 
Just wrinkled by the plash of quiet kine 
Who knee deep in the flags would drink—& done, 
Back to their feed on the shorn sward again 
The flags the bulrush & the barbd leaf 
Of water-weed bethread with lighter vein 
& water-lily giving flies relief

Follow for daily #JohnClare postings

#poetry  #environment #truth #honesty