Kingfisher in flight, from: Mike Lane Wildlife Photography
Before Dark
From the porch at dusk I watched
a kingfisher wild in flight
he could only have been made for joy.
a kingfisher wild in flight
he could only have been made for joy.
He came down the river, splashing
against the water’s dimming face
like a skipped rock, passing
against the water’s dimming face
like a skipped rock, passing
on down out of sight. And still
I could hear the splashes
farther and farther away
I could hear the splashes
farther and farther away
as it grew darker. He came back
the same way, dusky as his shadow,
sudden beyond the willows.
the same way, dusky as his shadow,
sudden beyond the willows.
The splashes went on out of hearing.
It was dark then. Somewhere
the night had accommodated him
It was dark then. Somewhere
the night had accommodated him
—at the place he was headed for
or where, led by his delight,
he came.
or where, led by his delight,
he came.
“Before Dark” by Wendell Berry from Collected Poems.
Oh, I love this! We have kingfishers at our pond and they're a delight to watch (and hear!).
ReplyDeleteI am so envious, Kelly. I've never seen one around here. They remind me of large Hummingbirds with their vibrant colors. You just can't read this and not smile. xo
ReplyDelete