Do not get
on the wrong side of a great blue heron
he is minding his own
you came upon him unknowingly
as you turn
realizing
you are in someone else’s company
besides the young couple casting their lines for a bite or tug
do not get
on the wrong side of a great blue heron
all enjoying rays
dancing
on a glint of ripples
crisscrossing the serene pond
did you know of his peripheral vision
scouting you out with barely a look
in an instant
he’s acting out his own version
of a shimmy shake dance
his feathers are ruffled
by your intrusiveness
do not get
on the wrong side of a great blue heron
in the midst of snagging a snack
from the water’s edge
craning his neck for the occasion
honing in
deep eyes penetrating
stare you scared
slowly backing up
as mother goose with her four goslings
usher you to higher ground
do not get
on the wrong side of a great blue heron.
