down by the river

[Lilith Rogers]

DOWN BY THE RIVER


Sitting here
in the late afternoon
reading my Audubon Society newsletter
about spring bird migrations
and wondering what
yellow-billed cuckoos look like
when I glance up
at a sudden plopping sound
and see
a handsome mallard couple
swimming right past me
and swallows diving low
over the water
chasing the swarms
of tiny gnats
that come out this time
of day.

A few house sparrows
and some mourning doves
are pecking their way
along through the sand
searching for buried treasure
and a huge crow
caws out
as she lands on the top
of a tall pine nearby
starting a shouting match
with a bright, bold scrub jay.

Then I notice,
high above both river
and trees
turkey vultures are circling, circling
gliding effortlessly
on the late afternoon breeze.

So, what was I reading about
anyway?

Lilith Rogers
May 7<SUP>th</SUP>, 2007