Departure of Ardea, (When the Heron Flies) Options

[Thoth]

Departure of Ardea
(When the Heron Flies)

Ardea Goliath, the giant heron

From the gleaming sandbank,
a dark hunched valkyrie
patiently contemplates the wind.
Glossy goliath wings, spread abruptly skyward;
Momentarily she stoops, then -
leaping into the air,
sheds the earth-ties of gravity.

Slender legs droop gracefully behind,
silver droplets falling
onto a trail of widening circles
on the muddy shallows where
small fish and water birds scatter.

Keeping low,
powerful down-curved wings
pulse with slow deliberate strokes
while a black river-bound spirit scurries beneath,
pursuing her across the restless water.

Gathering speed, she climbs,
working for altitude until turning
to a chosen heading, massive weapon
folded back, into a streamlined sheath and with
wings-beats calmed for cruising flight,
she rapidly vanishes into
the river haze.

Alone in the moody stillness of Africa,
I am left disturbed by the knowledge that
one day - she’ll not return.

- -
© WW Schwim

Goliath Heron - Ardea Goliath. While still resident on some of the larger rivers of Southern Africa, the largest living heron in the world, is now threatened by human invasion of it’s habitat.

This is what she looks like;

[Peterpan]

Wally~ I am African and have gazed at birds taking off, with wonder but, you have captured the calculated flight image with incredible dexterity. You have captured every feather shifting into that flight. This is an excellent poem. You really have a gift for the written word. I would like to share this poem with my budding poet uncle if I may? He is a nature lover and he will enjoy this poem and it will inspire him to write more.

What amazes me is your pace you achieved in this poem. It was unhurried. Just like the flight of the Ardea.

I cant see any crits at present. I am just in sheer wonderment of the poetic prowess!

Well done! You must be very proud!

Bev