Saltpan

What waterless platitude!
They used to call you lake
But you are no more.

A flat depth of bitterness
And a sickbed of salt—
What became of you
Of all that you had become?
What barren symmetry
Framed your shapeless bank?

Simpleton! Any other
Would have disregarded
Your empty façade!

Dale Chou
2007-01-17