Smooth flat black Water reflects Mid morning bright greenness of western hillside. The picture is muted by heavy breathed Haze that is Perfect ground zero in Nashville In mid-June. Haze hanging its head low like a small boy in trouble, Reflects and amplifies the clear light. Millions of tiny mirrors tuned to reflect toward One spot, Sending your retinas to pinholes an angel could not Dance upon. Lake Radnor’s stillness is broken by A mother duck leading her offspring in a Tight formation, Like ships in a line of battle Toward deep Water at lake’s middle. The “v” ripple widens till The tips are touching shoreline where You stand, now connected to the maneuver. The duck squadron now meets the hillside’s reflection, At mid-lake disturbing the pallet, Like a child gently shaking an Etch-o-Sketch. The picture becomes twisted and blurred. Observing this, you turn and continue your Mid-morning plodding run in mid-June, Touched by the divine images of nature’s grace.
I was returning from a bike ride yesterday when all the traffic on the street stopped both ways. I could not initially see what the issue was but then saw a mother duck lead her little flock bravely across the street between the stopped cars. Once safely on the other side, traffic resumed. I like living in a place where people will do that. But it also reminded me of this piece that I wrote several years ago. I hope you enjoy it!