Salt Marsh at First Light

Several ducks huddling,

paddling,

upon the shallow water.

 

Mudflats encroaching,

and rivulets flowing,

the sea is receding now.

 

Platoons of cats lining its margins,

crouching,

hiding within the reeds;

 

(their presence,

betrayed,

by their tails held high).

 

Will they pounce?

 

And send the ducks flying,

up,

into the glowing sky—

 

early morning sunlight,

reflecting,

from their white undersides.

 

The cats watching raptly, joyously;

their tails swishing briskly,

in the breeze.

 

~FS