National Poetry Month 2018
Heron in Flight by John Gibson
After Wallace Stevens, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.
I.
Taking flight,
one heron, great and blue,
lifts on kite-wings.
II.
At daybreak, he stalks
early risers
stealthily staring
at the water’s surface.
III.
The heron looks long
at his own reflection,
beauty knows beauty.
IV.
Straight as an arrow on a hunt
for its mark, heron’s beak
pierces the sky.
V.
Sun beams dance on waves
winking at heron’s stature,
inviting his participation
in the day.
VI.
My totem, Heron,
teach me
your lessons of grace.
VII.
As evening falls, heron
circles back
to tell me good night.
VIII.
Times with heron
I value silence
and know God.
IX.
Heron’s squawk
scrapes on Goose’s last nerve.
A cacophony on courthouse steps.
X.
At the sight of heron flying,
barely skimming water’s surface,
even playful children
stop and admire.
XI.
Heron lifts his wing
to preen like an awkward teen
crumples over his tall body
to tie his shoelace.
XII.
A storm raged during the night,
heron stood still
never losing his grip
on the fallen log.
XIII.
I haven’t seen Heron for days.
He will return. He may not return.
The light on the lake fades.
–Margaret Simon (c) 2018
If you are interested in joining a photo-poetry exchange I am hosting, click here.
Reflections on the Teche 