Lady of the Lake
For the ‘Lady of the Lake’, a legend from Lake Ronkokoma, New York
the townspeople anoint her
the winter lady of the lake,
an ill-fit moniker
because she contains the power of all seasons:
summer’s light
autumn’s passion
spring’s renewal
yet,
the townspeople anoint her
the winter lady of the lake
because a lone witness once observed
(at a considerable distance)
the woman
ascending from the icy depths
shattering the frozen surface with furled fists
pulling herself to safety after a blizzard burdened the belt where
the townspeople set their fires
the townspeople set their fires
the townspeople anoint her
the winter lady of the lake
because, like winter, she is misunderstood
a chilly distance is contemplation
a cold quiet is protection
a frozen stare is strength
the townspeople anoint her
the winter lady of the lake
because, they forget:
snowfall mutes our worries
chilly air stills our distress
and darkness rests our unsettled souls
the townspeople anoint her
the winter lady of the lake
because they only speak of her when a man drowns
24 thoughts on "Lady of the Lake"
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Gut punch ending, which moves the poem from gorgeous analysis of myth to commentary on the misogyny of origins. Nice use of space and the parenthetical
Thanks, Liz. I appreciate your kind words. Thanks for reading.
So much mythological weight to this one, love the repetition.
Thanks, Bill! I first heard of the legend when I was a child.
for me “a cold quiet” also evokes the way words are just the other side of silence: you can’t have one without the other
Absolutely, Gaby. Thank you so much for reading.
I love the repetition here: like Bill said, it gives a mythical quality. And love “because she contains the power of all seasons”
Thanks, Shaun. I appreciate your close read. The myth seems to get retold whenever someone drowns, usually in the summertime, but I heard that some years back a man almost drowned in the early spring, which in New York, is still very much winter.
Yes mythical is good.
This so well does justice to the misunderstood power of the outsider also embodying principles of divine feminine nurturing.
“the woman
ascending from the icy depths
shattering the frozen surface with furled fists
pulling herself to safety after a blizzard burdened the belt where
the townspeople set their fires”
Solid gold.
Thanks, Coleman. I’m glad you liked that part in particular. I wanted to convey that her power was trying to escape the lake for herself, not to take anyone with her.
Love this. The poem is about a myth, but it makes a new myth just in the telling.
Thank you, Kevin. That’s a major compliment.
*they only speak of her when a man drowns.
powerful
Thank you, Arwen!
I like the lore, legend, the truths to this poem…
Many thanks, mtpoet. Glad you enjoyed this one. Thank you for reading.
beautifully done, I agree with all the above compliments.
Thank you, Linda!
yes! to:
shattering the frozen surface with furled fists
Thanks, Pam. That image matters deeply for this poem. The lady is a man-made myth, and I wanted her to have agency when escaping the lake. I appreciate your read. Thank you!
A very cool poem!
Thank you, Bud!
I love this poem argues for a deeper, more empathetic understanding. I also like the repetitive chant like structure implemented here. GREAT WRITE!
Thank you! I appreciate the close read and the kind words.