Morning Walk

 

This evening in my library,

I think about my morning walk.

Along the curving edge

of this hilly hay field;

windrows drying in the sun;

inhaling the perfect aroma.

Then across our gravel road

to the north shore 

of McCarthy Lake.

I stepped softly to the end

of the old wooden dock,

avoiding little clumps

of dried muskrat dung.

I admire the flexible reeds,

projecting from calm water,

arching into their reflections.

Standing, watching, breathing,

waiting for something to happen.

A sudden slosh

from the edge of the thick cattails.

Too loud, too large to be a fish.

An OTTER !

First one I've seen

in my twenty-three years here.

Showing his teeth,

showing the bullhead

he just captured

from the shallows.

Rising above the surface,

looking back at me,

showing surprise

at my otter surprise.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. & 3. McCarthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan