My New Pond

Nearly 3 years now,
a fissure, shift, stirrings
prodding change
watching summers come and go
migratory seasons
cleaning, speculating, refilling,
still uncertain
Occasions for learning, encouragement-
moments of dreaming, creating-
standing still, wandering, pondering-
Deciding.
Planning,
yet the pond remains intact
apart from the hairline reminder
that it no longer holds
the water for which it was made
and needs change.
Nothing to fix, only change will do.

This old pond was a first,
the only one ever shaped by hand,
by my hand.
Sentimental and slow to let go
of quick-crete.
Why such resistant for change?
Memories of shared life, of course;
all who passed and lingered,
who played and
grew up here together,
with me:
warblers, doves, tanagers, buntings,
hawks, owls,
frogs, snakes, and fish
racoons
the dogs and kids
having touched and drawn life
in this pond’s waters
making it a sacred space.

But,
its old ‘wine skins’ now.
Something is leaking, failing to hold.
It needs greater depth.

You have the plan
You have the wisdom
You have the skills
You have the materials
You have the encouragement
Now
gather the courage
take heart
make the break
stop holding back
hammer or chisel does not matter
let the separation be complete
let go of what it was
in order for the new to be.

Dig deeper for the wellspring,
tend the circulation line
add new layers,
let it bubble, pool, gurgle, retain,
attract, nurture, sustain
unconstrained by season
Function and foundation will remain.
A sacred space will not depart.
Reclaim the quick-crete
in heeding transition’s growth
and the collected precious stones,
algae covered rocks and the old stump.
Refashion an oasis for life;
augmenting depth
raising height
suiting surroundings.

Take heart and take the next step.
Break and build.
Let a new pond emerge.
It will be well.