Dance of the Crane

Stilt-leg high-stepping of backward knees

at the pond's edge, in shallow
algae scattered water
a slow dance watched
of fish, scaled and silver and silhouetted below,
and milky gray feathered crane, who's
swivel head eyes the water
graceful s-curve of neck belying deadly purpose,
dance-step, stop-dart, eye
dance-step, stop-dart, eye
dance-step, stop-dart, eye
dance-step
...and plunge of beak.

The reward is quickly thrown

down the serpent-like neck and the pond
is one inhabitant
lighter.

© The Jotter
2011