© LJR 2024
WAITING
The sun baths the hills in gentle golden light
As wedges of waterfowl take to the skies
Their noisy departure yet another sign
Peace restored, the marshland settles in to wait
Knowing colder, shorter days are closing in
Cattails sway, dispersing their fluffy voyagers
Bullfrogs tuck into the soft mud and muck
Lake trout circle, seeking warmer depths
While the last of the song birds trill their fare-thee-wells
Grasses fade into shades of brown and rust
Camouflage for the pheasants in their midst
Their fallen seeds gathered by scurrying mice
In the brush, a small deer herd waits for dusk
And their nightly trek to the water’s edge
This marshland will be their winter home
Soon the light fades, painting the autumn sky
A breeze ripples the silver surface of the lake
A great horned owl calls to its nearby mate
Contented, the marshland settles in to wait
All will be made ready
Let the winter come!
*****
