Sunrise

Sunrise
Sunrise on Sunset Beach

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Heron World

Athens, Georgia
July 20, 2010; revised January 7, 2015
See also Heron in the Wood

Late afternoon envelops stillness
        in patches of shade, and sunlight, and sky
                        radiating moist heat,
                that leaves a sheen
        of salty wet on glistened skin.

And as the river valley glows,
        the shimmering green 
                        surrounds a solitary
                heron

perched in gray-white dignity,
        a sleekness suspended
                        from supple neck
                to thin stick leg

inhabiting a heaven
        of sparkling mud
                        and slow waters
                that mingle in quiet eternity.

What visions haunt the river bird soul
        taking rest at day’s end?
                        In peaceful interlude
                does focus remain true
        to ripple and darting shadow,
        to splash and sustenance below?

Does awareness expand
        beyond shoals and shallows
                        through dappled forest borders
                to the wondering spirit bound
        by skin and brain above?

The heron unfolds
        into neck and wing
                        flashing blue-silver rhythm
                in ponderous flight.

His harsh cry highlights  
        primordial grace 
                        disappearing into downstream shadow
                as eternity dissolves
                        and light breezes hint
                                soft darkness to come.

No comments:

Post a Comment