An egret on newly cut phragmites,

courtesy of the highway department,

watches the visible channel,

bubbles and scum inviting a stalk.

The snaking head is intent, eyes focused.

one foot raised, a pause, a move forward.

 

Beneath the filmy surface, does the minnow

sense the tense foot placed down again,

hear the stubble disturbed, feel the

shadow eclipse the brightness,

fin backwards from the beaky splash?