My lake says the man
with the speedboat
because his uncle
once owned a camp at Rigaud where the river
breaks into the lake
God’s lake says
Frère Gabriel because
he believes God owns
whatever He wants
and who wouldn’t want this particular lake
My lake you say
and the lake of your sister
because your grandfather
and mother and aunts
and your uncle
once owned the white house up the road
and you stayed every summer
and swam every day
rain or shine
Our lake say the Mohawks
and the lake of our dead
because they lived
here or near enough here
and died here
if not from time immemorial
at least almost as long
My lake says the woman
who rents you the room
who owns the patio chairs
and the curved turquoise pool
and the long windy fore-shore
performing before you
and the house like a rock
or a deity
watching your backs