Asylum Lake

Let me show you Asylum Lake
a beautiful gem worn in secret, by a bustling city
hidden amongst her layers of housing developments
and shopping centers

a sylvan enclave of peace and serenity
surrounded by busy roads and highways

Asylum Lake
asylum for the birds and the owl that screeches
asylum for all of Gods furry creatures

for turtles and frogs
for critters who live on it's lilypads
and in it's bogs

Asylum Lake
graceful and glistening in the sun
mysterious in a midsummer fog

asylum for troubled souls
and creative spirits, alike

asylum for birdwatchers
and walkers who hike
for new lovers alone
to share a sweet kiss

Asylum Lake
haven of delight
and rapturous bliss

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Pepper
"A poem is the very image of life expressed in its eternal truth."
   Percy Bysshe Shelley

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

You speak to me in riddles and you speak to me in rhymes.
My body aches to breathe your breath ... your words keep me alive.

~Sarah McLachlan~

Thanks Martin,  Its a beautiful place, but you wouldn't be able to stay there for a couple of weeks at a time because there are no facilities......unless of course, you camped out at my house, which is just down the street....or, you could stay in a hotel and go there during the day.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Thanks so much, Noah.  The place is a very beautiful paradise, but is always under threat from developers who want to build retail centers, offices or even factories on it.  I am very involved in a citywide effort to save it.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Thanks Newell...I tried to share the beauty of Asylum Lake with everyone through my words, but I don't think words really exist, which describe its real beauty.

[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (02-04-2002 10:09 PM).]

Thanks so much, JM...I am very flattered that you like the poem.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Thanks so much, Martie...Isn't it wonderful how a nature sanctuary can actually exist in the middle of a city.  Asylum Lake has been under threat from developers for years...and thank goodness, we have been able to stop them...but the threat continues and we have to keep going to City Hall and convincing the people who run the city that greenspace and open space are more valuable than shopping centers, office parks or research parks.  I have been involved with this protest stuff now for about 12 years....but it is worth every minute of the time I have spent doing it...to keep this lovely place preserved.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks