Brown Duck

[dukealien]

Brown Duck



Either-sex Mexican Duck
or brown hen-Mallard
stood flatfoot-swaying, twisting neck
indecisive on a grassy border
between busy four-lane street
and sidewalk where I rode.
Crossing sidewalk seemed a danger to her, yet
street-crossing meant delayed
but swishing certain death.

I stopped, dismounted, even
backed off just a bit
and finally that flustered duck
with much misgiving crossed
my sidewalk, after which
she could gawk, quack and complain
in safety as I passed.

Lest tenderness and softness
of my heart be overrated
let it be firmly stated
I would not have waited
for a year, and not a day
for that duck to waddle on her way
and not come back.