Egret Day

Egret Day

I lapsed

as I walked a stream’s edge,

in Cabinteely, Dublin,

on the shortest day of 2012.

Jibberwock and jebberwack

tattered comparative whys

wackjabbered back.

A worn-out self attack.

 

The world stopped.

The sun was still

and nature’s full soundtrack,

a suburban quiet

lush with life

silenced my monkey mind.

 

I dropped

over the ledge

into the flowing stream

as I walked with my daughter and dog

on that exceptionally mild afternoon.

 

Sparkling water,

aquiver.

Sunlight beams,

shimmering.

 

Upstream,

beside a mini rapid

I saw a large white bird,

standing,

to catch a fish.

It took off as we three reached it.

 

Our first meeting with a city egret,

a patient hunter,

statue still,

graceful with a long black bill.

 

Mesmerized by its streamlined flight

I traveled on its back downstream.

Wordlessly,

splicing through the air.