Mountain lakes

Paragons of pristine peace

Who doesn’t enjoy an afternoon at their side

Seeing forests and clouds and sky

Reflected on the surface

Underneath perhaps all you see

A stone or so

Seemingly the same peace

But truly under the surface

Is a world filled with life

Fish dance in the sunrays

Conducted by the water plants

Life is abounding and exciting

Those above the surface never see this vibrancy

Under the liquid curtain

Only a glimpse

Why does this abounding life hide?

Maybe it’s scared

Frightened of being harmed by onlookers

Terrified of being revealed in its fullness

And rejected

And loneliness

The lake has grown accustomed to company

And if it changes

Becomes less pristine and peaceful

Maybe none will ever return

What the fish and plants and life below the surface don’t know

Is that maybe someone might see the beauty there

Even if no one else does

But the life lies hidden

Forever

Careful and contained

Surrounded with friends yet alone