Our Ducks

 Our Ducks

It's spring and the hens with their ducklings

waddle single file from the pond

to the front yard of my neighbor where

crack corn and bird seed has been strewn.

Lois regularly puts out food for birds

of all colors. Flocks of hens, drakes

and ducklings discover the bounty.

Daily I watch them visit.

Through the summer, abutters

enjoy seeing the ducklings grow,

while drab hens and brightly plumed

drakes keep a caring vigil.

As summer wanes, nights turn cool,

ducklings become ducks.

A faint difference between hens

and drakes begins to show.

Someone has thoughtfully put up

a ducks crossing sign to warn drivers.

Folks wish to assist the feathered

creatures and to feel involved.

When winter's full impact comes,

the ducks will retreat to nests.

They will visit more rarely,

in spring the cycle will repeat.