The Lake. To

In spring of youth it was my lot 

To haunt of this wide world a spot

The which I could not love the less-

So lovely was the loneliness

Of a wild lake, with black rock bound,

And the tall pines that towered around.

But when the Night had thrown her pall

Upon that spot, as upon all,

And the mystic wind went by

Murmuring in melody-

Then- ah then I would awake 

To the terror of the lone lake.

Yet that terror was not fright,

But a tremulous delight-

A feeling not the jewelled mine

Could teach or bribe me to define-

Nor Love- although the Love were thine.

Death was in that poisonous wave,

And in it's gulf a fitting grave

For him who thence could solace bring

To his lone imagining-

Whose solitary soul could make

An Eden of that dim lake.

-Edgar Allen Poe, 1827

This has always been one of my favorite poems and there was a time when I had it completely memorized.  It seems morbid at first but I find it only slightly haunting and somewhat uplifting.

Recharging

Big Bear Lake

I'm off to Big Bear for the weekend!  I'm making the 2 hour drive with a friend and meeting two other friends there.  The four of us will be staying in a cozy, but very roomy cabin right on the lake.  Because we are all moms of toddlers our plan is to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING while we're there...I am really looking forward to that!  The only thing work related I plan to do is sketching, if the mood strikes me.  Otherwise, sitting on the deck with a Gin & Tonic and watching the sunset is just about all I can think about.  I'll be back soon.