Consider the mallard:
as common as grass or trees
or rivers, streams and clouds
and treasures such as these,
so common we scarcely see them!
Consider his webbed feet!
They paddle gently to and fro
or part the water fast and neat
as from the air, so accurate,
he makes the change from flight to swim.
Consider this barred wing:
the marvel that he tucks way
in water world, that when unfurled
commands the air and makes it sing
as it gives its magic lift to him.
Consider now he's stilled by death
who comes to claim the holy breath
that gave this life?
Truly, the Lord of Life loves even these,
as common as grass and streams and trees.
So, passing by as dust returns to dust,
Let death await new birth
and leave his body
in the gentle earth.
I love love love this Jenny. It sings in an elegy but is not sad. Lovely rhythms- Ah, I've just identified the echo I can hear. Of course it's Consider the lilies of the field isn't it. Beautiful. So glad you are still writing poetry Jenny.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sally - only just spotted this comment. The poem was based on a real incident, which upset a friend, where a dead mallard was sprayed gold and mounted on a pole in the woods. Yuk!
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