The Hours of Afternoon, XXIV: Oh! the calm summer garden where nothing moves!

Oh! the calm summer garden where nothing moves! Unless it be, near the middle of the bright and radiant pond, the goldfish like tongues of fire.

They are our memories playing in our thoughts that are calm and stilled and limpid, like the trustful and restful water.

And the water brightens and the fishes leap at the abrupt and marvellous sun, not far from the green irises and the white shells and stones, motionless about the ruddy edges.

And it is sweet to watch them thus come and go in the freshness and splendour that touches them lightly, careless and without fear that they will bring from the depths to the surface other regrets than fleeting.