The Ballad of a Stroll and a Photo That
Offended the Waterfowl
One day I arose
To go on a stroll
Through the streets of this old town
Built ever so long ago
Although it was a bit chilly and cold.
I strolled past the post office,
A closed café, and the grocery store.
I saw plenty of old homes
containing history of their own
And I soon found the old sign describing the town’s
Historical account with the old railroad.
The old depot I well did know
Was somewhere across that other road.
It is not far to go, you know;
Just down this street, this century old road.
Then make a right turn and then a left
Until I am strolling on Main Street due North.
I have my camera in tow with a bit of hope
That I might capture an interesting photo
To share with others and perhaps on a post.
But many times that bit of hope is quite remote
As this small town remains continuously the same.
Although I reminded myself,” you just never know
What new or interesting or sight my eye may behold.”
I walked into the Dairy Queen to have a bit of ice cream.
Then I was eagerly so wanting to stroll to a favorite place, you know.
So I continued to stroll to the small park where the
Trees towered high in the cold as I still strolled
Down the sloping, grassy knoll to stand
Alone on the beach where the waves
Gently lapped and softly rolled.
Not expecting to see any company
On such a cold and woeful day.
But wouldn’t you know as I looked
Out I saw not one but two quiet
And graceful waterfowl.
In silence I watched them lift up
Off the rippling lake and gliding into the air.
They made almost no noise; hardly any sound.
They seemed content to not go far
But only to fly close to the nearly
Deserted lake which shone
And shimmered in their wake.
They hovered and glided
Back and forth; to and fro.
Then oh how I vainly tried
To shoot and take a photo
As I stood on a warped and sloping deck
With the flowing water down below.
Suddenly in a splash they arose
Seeming to not want their photo
Taken at all. Oh dear, oh no, they preferred
The pure quietness and absolute obscurity.
They had no wish to be known or be shown
Through a photo taken by me.
Over the years I have known
others who were too bashful to smile
and have someone snap a photo;
However, it never dawned on me
that a such a desire of anonymity
could apply also to the graceful waterfowl.
Oh woe! Their peaceful and uneventful morning
Now interrupted as they knew they weren’t alone.
So into the sky of billowing white clouds
They lifted in such haste and soared.
Not giving me one last look
nor any parting word.
Becky G? Oh, That's Me! 