Herring Morning

the water in the cove
looks like it’s boiling
but there is no rain



thousands and thousands
of tiny fish --
a ball of herring
rolls through the cove

seals wait
twin sets of eyes
they circle the school
hind flippers up



a heron stands patiently
on the dock ...
underwater
the cloud shifts
and turns as one

a jab and a catch --
one after the other



a new family of Mergansers
chatters past
looking for other kinds
of food

a Grebe dives
a flash of fish
leap out of the water
the cluster jumps
and shifts --
the ripple moves on

two girls
try to catch
... just one little fish

but look who

went for a swim

with the herring