The Fountain

 

I shall walk the valley
taking time to savour
sights and sounds and fragrance,
watch the hillsides close me round,
guide me to the top climbing the while
short steps darkening as I go.
Narrow now, I step into the stream
the valley steeper shrouded mossy banks enclosed.
look behind,see golden fields in mist.
Evening shadows draw me to the source of my content.
Scramble through the ferns, pull them hard aside,
there are secrets here I've heard of many times,
a fountain spilling careless crystal
deep from the earth it comes the ground soft and wet,
throw off my clothes, I have not drunk all day,
enter as I dreamed bathe and wallow, kneel,
then in late day sun lie calm,
replete and sleep for evening rest.