Deep blue heron

On mornings

When fishing is better

On the close bank

We startle one another

I, heavy-footed

Coffee cup in hand

You, wading the shallows

All long legged

Rising up to flee

Heading west

Turning north

Over the tennis courts

I prefer mornings

When we don’t startle one another

I watch as you patiently pluck

The morsels of your survival

Gracefully along the far shore

From among the weeds

9-7-22