Narcissus For Giles

Between the water and we
A thin film of reflections.
A flickering flame
A face crossed with wonder,
Wondering at the beautiful, unknown finity
Of its own image.

A caver drinks at the gour,
Privately relishing
The sublimity of clear water
And unfettered consciousness.
A moment all too brief
and precious
as a straw droplet falling.

Then them is that moment when
Intent on ourselves
We take ourselves too far
Drawn into that image of ourselves
Forgetting who we are
Getting too close
Breaking the water

The face is gone
The light is extinguished.
Of course I cannot believe it’s true.
I read the paper but there must be another you down there
Close to the water
With the flame still burning.

Hugh St.Lawrence

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