9.10

elongated feather neck stretching

skyward, wonderfully  prehistoric

amidst grasses burst tall on shore

and pond. drought has lifted their

length above the receding waters

flinging new green swaths across

the tepid waters. rowings of ducks

line out, mother to sons and daughters

while fathers lay off to side for

protection and alarm. a step, glimpse

of our pattern and the whole rises

to further shore safety. but not

the black and white geese who know

the power of their collective. short

of shot, they will not be moved nor

troubled. it is we who will pass by

and be gone.

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