For the past year or more, I have headed out in heat, rain, and freezing temperatures to spend time with birds. I am learning much about life, survival, beauty. Thus, I find myself writing more nature poems these days. Nature poems are often idyllic — lofty language offering peace, escape, a calm refuge. But some poems are frank, not shying from the natural order. In January, I saw two geese on a frozen pond I frequent — here is the encounter.

On a frigid January morning,
a flock of Canadian Geese
huddle on the icy marsh,
heads tucked in against the cold.

As the sun rises,
light settles on a goose
several yards away.

It is clear the goose
perished in the night.
Ebony head melding into the ice,
wings loose and low,
no life blood holding
the bird in check.
A gentle neck
bends with grace
across the frozen field.

Nature takes its course.
Geese are not promised eternity.
Perhaps a fox, coyote or eagle
will find a meal
and fortitude.

But
not yet,
for standing guard
by the fallen fowl
is love personfied.

Geese mate for life.
The ice-bound goose
did not die alone.
Instead nature reminds everyone within sight
we are cherished —
from the tiniest warbler
to the majestic goose
to the infinitely fallable human.

Yet,
a prayer should be offered
for the sentinel left behind —
loved
paired
lonely
carrying on mightily.

Note: if you love birds, here are a few great books to read:
Bird School by Adam Nicolson
What an Owl Knows and The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald