The Skater of Ghost Lakeby William Rose Benet(1) Ghost Lake’s a dark lake, a deep lake and cold:(2) Ice black as ebony, frostily scrolled;(3) Far in its shadows a faint sound whirs;(4) Steep stand the sentineled deep, dark firs.(5) A brisk sound, a swift sound, a ring-tinkle-ring;(6) Flit-flit,--a shadow with a stoop and a swing,(7) Flies from the shadow through the crackling cold.(8) Ghost Lake’s a deep lake, a dark lake and old!(9) Leaning and leaning with a stride and a stride,(10) hands locked behind him, scarf blowing wide,(11) Jeremy Randall skates, skates late,(12) Star for a candle, moon for a mate.(13) Black is the clear glass now that he glides,(14) Crisp is the whisper of long lean strides,(15) Swift is his swaying - but pricked ears hark.(16) None comes to Ghost Lake late after dark!(17) Cecily only--yes it is she!(18) Stealing to Ghost Lake, tree after tree,(19) Kneeling in snow by the still lake side,(20) Rising with feet winged, gleaming, to glide.(21) Dust of the ice swirls. Here is his hand.(22) Brilliant his eyes burn. Now, as was planned,(23) Arm across arm twined, laced to his side,(24) Out on the dark lake lightly they glide.

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"The Skater of Ghost Lake" by William Rose Benet paints a vivid and atmospheric picture of a dark, chilly scene on Ghost Lake. The poem, with its emphasis on the haunting qualities of the lake and its surroundings, introduces us to Jeremy Randall, who skates alone at night, creating a sense of both solitude and mystery. The imagery of "ice black as ebony" and "frostily scrolled" establishes a stark, eerie environment, enhanced by the mention of the "deep, dark firs" that seem to sentinel the lake.

As Jeremy skates, the rhythm of the poem mirrors his movement—"a brisk sound, a swift sound" conveys his agility and speed on the ice. The arrival of Cecily introduces a shift, suggesting a connection and companionship amidst the isolation of the setting. Their shared glide across the lake symbolizes a bond in the face of darkness, with the imagery of "hands locked behind him" and "arm across arm twined" highlighting intimacy and unity.

The poem's underlying tension is built through references to the dangers of being out on the lake at night, suggested by the lines "None comes to Ghost Lake late after dark!" This creates a contrast between the joy of skating together and the ominous atmosphere surrounding them.

Overall, Benet skillfully combines vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and an underlying sense of foreboding to convey a rich narrative of romance and mystery set against a haunting backdrop. The skaters become almost spectral figures themselves, gliding across the icy surface of Ghost Lake, leaving readers with an impression of beauty intertwined with the eerie qualities of their surroundings.