Warrior

Wading and walking
with slow stealth,
dark feet slip
into dark water;
barely a ripple,
graceful as a ballerina,

yet ready as a warrior
to thrust its spear,
to plunge with precision
at a silver minnow,
to pierce its silver scales;
or miss.

Now waiting again;
yellow eyes
intensely focused,
prepared for prey,
patient as a monk,
still as stone,
wading the wetlands,
stalking in silence,
this master of the marsh,
this fierce, feathered warrior.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Rogue River - Rockford, Michigan 

3. & 4. Eagle Lakes Park - Naples, Florida