08 October 2009

And The Heron Landed


Twilight was descending
as on the dock we stood
silent and awestruck
to relish sunset’s last brilliant colors
infuse the horizon.

Standing still in twilight
murmuring conversation
preparing to walk for home
as shore ducks’
clamored with distressing quacks.

We turned to see their ally
who glided from marshes north
over stillness of Dawson’s Creek
primed to alight at dock’s edge
launch to flight again.

Amid the cry of alarm
circled beyond, behind, and around
to perch opposite
three feet from where we stood
the Great Blue Heron.

Cindy B. Stevens
8 October 2009