Edward W. Lull

Green Mountain Magic

Our auto bumps along the gravel road;
a picnic on Mount Equinox we planned.
The engine whimpers at the climbing load,
but on we push till deep in timberland.

Continuing on foot we find a glade:
an overlook where we can see for miles.
The azure sky offsets the forest jade;
serenity of summertime beguiles.

A blanket spread for comfort, picnic starts,
we feel we are alone in Nature’s world.
This setting is idyllic for sweethearts,
but caution flags refuse to be unfurled.

Enchantment of the moment overcomes
restraints and inhibitions of our youth.
The passion of the picnic soon succumbs
to promises encased in love and truth.

Some four decades have passed as now we drive
and Garmin guides us to our parking spot.
The climb, a challenge now, but we arrive;
the clearing is still here, but changed somewhat.

A fuzzy haze diminishes our view;
the sky less blue, the pines and oaks less green.
But nonetheless our picnic would ensue;
though things had aged, this site remained serene.

Commitment to this day made years ago
drew us to Equinox this summer day.
Were hidden reasons there? We didn’t know.
We spread the fruit and cheese and Chardonnay.

I look at her, my hands begin to shake;
I recognize we’ve entered love’s domain.
At once the sleeping passions come awake;
our mountain works its magic once again.

Copyright © Edward W. Lull 2018

 Edward W. Lull grew up in Upstate New York, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1955.  Lull spent most of his seagoing career in submarines.  He earned a masters degree from The George Washington University in 1969.  After his Navy career, he held management and executive positions in several small hi-tech firms in the Washington, D.C. Lull began writing poetry in retirement; he has published six books of his poetry: Cabin Boy to Captain: a Sea Story in 2003; Where Giants Walked in 2005; The Sailors: Birth of a Navy in 2007; Bits and Pieces: A Memoir in 2011; Creating Form Poetry: A Poet’s Handbook in 2013; and The Reality and Fantasy of My World in 2017. He is a Life Member in the Poetry Society of Virginia and served four terms as its president.  Lull initiated the Saturday Poetry Series that provides poetry readings on the first Saturday of the month, in 2001; it is currently in its 17^th year.  He chairs the James City Poets Workshop and the Emerson Society of Williamsburg, an essay writing group.  He was the inaugural winner of the Emyl Jenkins Award  in 2012 “…for inspiring a love of writing and writing education in Virginia.”

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