image: Mwakesi Mwakale

Naivasha Lake
Monika John

Maasai named it without pretense
‘place of many waters.’
The melody in the name
keeps the promise of a serene beauty.
 
Papyrus reeds and water lilies
adorn shallow banks
spiny tall acacias
reflect in the tranquil surface.
 
White pelicans gather quietly on level shores
until they sense an intruder
then some spread their heavy wings
while others silently take to water.
 
White moon flowers
pour their sweet and heavy scent
from open chalices in full summer bloom
over vibrant green meadows.
 
The sun reflects as dancing flame
across a glistening mirror
and from afar the blue hazed crater
lends massive strength to the enchanted lake.

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Monika John is a writer, attorney and world traveler living in Washington State. Her recent writings have appeared in various magazines in the USA and UK: The Wayfarer, Shambala Poetry Space, Aurorean, Kindred Magazine, Buddhist Poetry Review, Light of Consciousness Magazine, Urthona UK, Penwood Review, Presence International Magazine, Anthology on Tagore, UK, Fungi and Quiet Shorts Magazine, Sathya Sai Newsletter, Scheherazade’s Bequest, Lalitamba, The Crucible and Blue Heron Review.