on water

Grey shrouds the day
A white disc flitting behind
Winter-bare willows
Offers little hope of warmth
Yet manages to find strength
To breathe out
Enough light to catch the coat
Of a great white egret
Balancing above the broad

~

n.b. A great white egret is a rare enough bird for Britain. This afternoon, there were three hanging around University Broad, while a little egret padded around in the reeds prodding for morsels. The little egrets moved in (back?) over forty years ago, paving the way for their cousins to follow. 

CLP 29/12/2024