IN THE GREENING OF THE RESERVOIR

In a few short weeks we lose

the long view. At the same time

the large dogwood moves in close.

Early pre-dawn even, the brilliant

white casts light into the second floor kitchen:

tree level. Eye to eye with blossoms.

Our house a split level. And below the pink

and purple azaleas, winter pot of pansies.

The red, yellow and green prayer flags

tied between trees.

And next Monday our gathering table

arrives. Old pine boards with knots

and even a burn. Weathered. A dark finish.

Used well for over one hundred years.

Until now, I always felt round best.

This new one, long, like commitment.

An anniversary vow, seeing anew.

A greeting of possibilities found

in the changing of seasons

and an old farm table.

Elaine Fletcher Chapman (formerly Elaine Walters McFerron) is the author of a volume of poems, Hunger for Salt published by Saint Julian Press and a letterpress chapbook, Double Solitude published by Green River Press. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor teaching Literature at Old Dominion University, Chapman worked on staff at The Bennington Writing Seminars, Bennington College for 18 years. She founded The Writer’s Studio where she teaches poetry, nonfiction and an ongoing class, On Keeping a Journal. She also provides editing services and organizes Poetry Readings and Crossing Over Writing Retreats. For the last 39 years she has worked as a therapist in private practice. Also she is a Certified iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation teacher. Her poems have been published in Rabid Oak, The Tishman Review, The EcoTheo Review, The Cortland Review, Connotation, The Sun, Calyx, Poet Lore, 5AM, Salamander, and others. She was guest blogger on The Best American Poetry Blog and The Solstice Literary Magazine blog. She now lives on the West side of the Chesapeake Bay near the James River in Newport News, Virginia. She also spends a great deal of time in the San Francisco Bay area. Trailer and Poetry Videos for Hunger For Salt: www.vimeo.com/elainefletcherchapman or www.elainefletcherchapman.com