Feathered Sculpture

 

From my kayak, on calm water,

I watch the gray-blue

feathered sculpture

of a Great Blue Heron.

He stands on stick legs

in the soft shadows

of the smooth shallows,

as still as a dead branch.

Yellow eyes stare with intensity.

S-shaped neck ready to strike.

He leans slowly forward

with imperceptible movement.

But then a change of attitude:

He decides to leave the water;

lifting effortlessly on wide wings,

gaining altitude, legs dangling behind, 

rowing through humid summer air.

Seeking new water, a new site,

to resume stealth stalking

on stick legs, with a supple neck,

to stand as still as a sculpture.

I continue to paddle

in the soft shadows

along smooth shallows

gliding through humid summer air.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Rogue River ~ Rockford, Michigan

2. Eagle Lakes Park ~ Naples, Florida