Thursday, April 23, 2009

Given

Spring Pond

It seems odd that we would have him here,
the harsh, ratcheting call, clear, as he flies out above the pastures, swallows burbling all around—a kingfisher. Fishing with great gusto from the young trees encroaching upon the pond, he has stayed for almost two weeks--chattering as I walk the edges and sit, watching, from the dock.
Over water we had once thought to make ours—
tending it,
sculpting it,
grooming it,
for, perhaps, swimming.
Until now, having given it over, or more honestly, given it back to its own.

The edges fill, each year a bit more, as dry autumns have opened the banks for eager grasses. And warm summers have turned the shallows, rich and green with growth, to a basin, thick with life.

In order to look delicious to this little dabbling duck—
another new visitor to the pond, given back.
It would seem that in this giving,
it is we who have been given much.



Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors

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7 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

The environment you provide and protect brings you such wonderful visitors.

Ginnymo said...

Love this post Nina. It is so peaceful when you see ducks floating in the water like that, in their natural state. No one to bother them.
Have a great weekend!!

Bernie said...

Oh Nina I awoke this morning to a deck and car covered with snow, I love your blog, the ducks make me realize that soon I too, will enjoy Spring....:-) Hugs

Deborah Godin said...

That's it in a nutshell - the secret of living in harmony with nature!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Gosh Nina, do you think the Kingfisher is nesting nearby? What excitement that would be. Having a Blue-winged Teal for a yard bird is pretty cool.

Kathleen said...

"given back to its own"

Wow, Nina. Those five words say it all.

Kathi said...

A blue-winged teal on your pond? I'm so jealous!

(Can you bring it to New River?)

~Kathi