Wood Ducks at Dawn
for Karla

Each day is distinct
with wonder: thunder,
moonlight, northern
auroras—each has its
particular aura of delight.

Many years ago,
I began scanning trees
hoping hard to see
the tell-tale red and teal
flash of a wood duck.

But these elegant birds
remained only words,
pictures in a flat book.
I began to doubt
they were 3-D real.

Still, each morning, I look
into the garden. Last week,
I saw three flashing beaks
high in this walnut tree.
Mallards? In trees?

I crept quietly out
into the morning breeze
with my long lens, wary
of startling. It was there I
captured my dream quarry

with photos and even
a short clip of brief flight.
Then I soared back
to the kitchen, quite certain
suddenly, of wonder;

that today holds
something extraordinary.

Leslie Schultz

Many thanks to my sister, Karla, for her examples of patient watching and the long lens, and to my husband, Tim, for his patience in helping me learn the ins and inside-outs of a smart phone!

Check out other participants at the NaPoWriMo Challenge 2017 home site!