05-21-2017, 10:31 PM
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.
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.
Non-practicing atheist


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