Winter Ducks

Winter ducks float by
Across a rippled grey sky
Below the dike I walk on
Just beyond the narrow marsh
That lives along the river’s margin
This secret place where marsh hides
Her collection of naked forest trees
Logs that lay still and rot among reeds
Ducks float close by on top of the rippled sky
While the tide changes direction - but not her heart
Humming an irresistable song to delight the moon's pull
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Mallard, pintail, widgeon
All together single-file
A winter parade
Silent and motionless
Float upstream with meaning
Along the spiky edge of rushes
That defines the river’s margin
I have always loved these birds
That stay here for the winter
They just arrived yesterday
And somehow I am happy
To see them again