The Heron
How do I know she senses my presence
long before her needle-thin throat
rises from ochre reeds, also thin,
bending agreeably with shore breeze?
The incoming tide hastens my spotting.
I silence the oars, letting the current carry
me to her eye, set unblinking
in a shape that might be an upturned scythe
poised in grasses not meant for mowing.
Hers is a lesson in patience,
mine a lesson in measured paces
like an elderly man
practicing tai-chi in the park.
I would not startle her to flight,
that I might be with her
together in what is timeless,
although the shoreline separates
like the division of cells
who belongs to the shore
who with the sea.
Only the two of us now,
where recognition destroys acquaintance.
I watch her blue-gray wings
lift as if exhaled from updrafts —
those wonderful wings
wider than my arms
always out of reach.
Mary Kollar
Mary's Room With a View 
Mary, dear, such a beautiful poem and equally gorgeous photos. Thanks for inspiration.
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Beautiful! Pictures AND poetry.
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Thank you, Mary for these words and pictures.
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Beautiful poem, Mary. I could easily visualize you and the bird respecting each other’s place in the universe.
Sylvia
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Dear Mary,
What an exquisite poem, one of your best! It’s a challenge to write about oneness but your poem is so beautifully written (“together in what is timeless”…”where recognition destroys acquaintance”.) Consciousness is an interesting subject. It’s been said that we’re One, we’ve always been One, we’ll always be One, until we think we are not. Your poem captures this idea of consciousness. I love the feeling of being on the water with you. The photos are gorgeous and add so much to the story. I plan to spend more time reading the poem. Thank you for sharing this heron story with your beautiful gift of poetry.
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