At Hald Hovedgaard Estate
1729
The stone steps lead to water
and the steps go down and in.
The master builder made it
so the stairs continue farther
than is needed, farther down
into the lake, climbed by only fish
and grazed in lightness by the feet
of swimmers. The forest oaks grew
up, fell down, have hollowed out.
No new oaks replaced them.
They lie on their backs like canoes.
In the great room is the builder,
whose name I have forgotten,
smiling from his portrait, as if
he heralds a new age of optimism.