22 February 2026

By Philip Kuepper

I.

The lake, landlocked,
lies an eye
looking up at the sky
with such clarity
the sky reflected in it
is seen
as being empty
of all but space.

II.

Appears a boat
on the lake of eye,
and in the boat a rower,
like visible flashes of insight,
as he pulls on the oars,
who peoples the sky.
In him I see
what happens to be.

(23 January 2026)