The Legend of The Snow Geese
I was walking down the old flagstone path
that wanders through the elderberry grove
overlooking a placid lake in the valley below
when I saw someone coming toward me.
On closer look, it was an old woman.
She spoke to me in a language I didn’t understand.
We stopped and she pointed toward the lake
where a gaggle of snow geese stood along the farther bank.
As we watched, a young woman approached.
She resembled the old woman in many ways and
spoke in a soft voice when she asked if
her grandmother was bothering me.
I told her no not at all as I motioned toward the geese.
“Oh,” she whispered, “Those are the spirits of angels.”
“Angels?” I asked in wonderment.
“Yes, the ones who protect us from our enemies.
They come every year and the people
hold many celebrations to let them know
they are loved and appreciated.”
The two women walked on down the path
lined with bluebells and I watched them go.
I started to walk away when suddenly a snow goose
flew up from the water and landed on the walkway in front of me.
It took a few steps in my direction,
and stared at me calmly.
then rose up and flew off as suddenly as it came.
BIO: Juanita Rivers is a graduate of LaVerne University and also has an associate in fine arts, drawing and painting, from Long Beach City College. She is a native of Texas and has lived in California the past twenty-seven years. Her poetry was published in the December 25, 2006 Long Beach Press Telegram. She was the president of the Library/Learning Resources Associates group for the Foundation at Long Beach City College where she is also enrolled in poetry and novel workshops.
