The Cheese Whisperer
New member
...poem just for Yahoo and you. C.C.? I sat quite still on my creekside rock,
when I noticed my Heron just passing the dock.
He was wading the bank of my front yard pond,
He was a sight of which I'd grown very fond.
He had just returned north from his winter place,
And although he looked thin he still retained grace.
My Great Blue Buddy, would normally fly off,
If I made a quick move or let out a cough.
But today he was hunting, not caring a bunch,
A splash, a flash of silver, and down goes lunch.
And then something happened I'll never forget;
When I recall the events I still start to sweat.
The bird started flapping with all of his might,
But he stayed where he was; He was losing the fight.
He had never behaved in this way before,
and I saw he was resting half out on the shore.
His wings were floating on the waters outspread
In the back of my mind what formed was dread.
I had a hunch I knew what had occured,
and I was quite nervous as I approached the huge bird.
He had never let me get this close before,
The mere sight of me usually caused him to soar.
And yet there I was looking into his eye,
His bill was impressive, this close the guy.
I carefully made my way down the short bank,
And stepped into muck and a few inches sank.
The water was up to my knees right away,
And the bird held a pretty clear look of dismay.
I was right next to him as I reached down below,
and finding his leg, I began to pull slow.
It was cold and springy like a waterlogged root,
and as I pulled upward I can not dispute,
I realised something was attached to his leg,
Something heavy, like an old beer keg.
But just as the mystery was about to come clear,
The bird gave a lurch and a squawk in my ear.
It startled me so, I of course let go,
And he flapped a bit further away, you know.
Well after that scare I wasn't real sure
If I was the one to provide this cure.
But I couldn't just turn my back on the guy,
Could I go back on shore and watch the bird die?
I turned back around and went up to my waist,
and fears of the beak I once again faced.
Grabbing his leg and lifting once more,
My buddy was trying his best to ignore.
And that's all it took, was that one extra beat,
What I saw next almost made me excrete.
Right there on the surface, as close as a shave,
A huge snapping turtle was riding the wave.
He came up so fast I was caught by surprise.
And all of a sudden I didn't feel so wise.
The birds tiny foot was held firm in his jaws,
I was glad to see I knew what was the cause.
I took a deep breath and then I exhaled,
And then I grabbed that snapper by his long knobby tail.
As soon as I did, he released my friend,
and after some thought, I think I comprehend.
I, too, let go the Heron, and with my free hand,
Helped guide the turtle with a toss onto land.
I barely had time to turn back and see,
My Great Blue Heron leaving me.
when I noticed my Heron just passing the dock.
He was wading the bank of my front yard pond,
He was a sight of which I'd grown very fond.
He had just returned north from his winter place,
And although he looked thin he still retained grace.
My Great Blue Buddy, would normally fly off,
If I made a quick move or let out a cough.
But today he was hunting, not caring a bunch,
A splash, a flash of silver, and down goes lunch.
And then something happened I'll never forget;
When I recall the events I still start to sweat.
The bird started flapping with all of his might,
But he stayed where he was; He was losing the fight.
He had never behaved in this way before,
and I saw he was resting half out on the shore.
His wings were floating on the waters outspread
In the back of my mind what formed was dread.
I had a hunch I knew what had occured,
and I was quite nervous as I approached the huge bird.
He had never let me get this close before,
The mere sight of me usually caused him to soar.
And yet there I was looking into his eye,
His bill was impressive, this close the guy.
I carefully made my way down the short bank,
And stepped into muck and a few inches sank.
The water was up to my knees right away,
And the bird held a pretty clear look of dismay.
I was right next to him as I reached down below,
and finding his leg, I began to pull slow.
It was cold and springy like a waterlogged root,
and as I pulled upward I can not dispute,
I realised something was attached to his leg,
Something heavy, like an old beer keg.
But just as the mystery was about to come clear,
The bird gave a lurch and a squawk in my ear.
It startled me so, I of course let go,
And he flapped a bit further away, you know.
Well after that scare I wasn't real sure
If I was the one to provide this cure.
But I couldn't just turn my back on the guy,
Could I go back on shore and watch the bird die?
I turned back around and went up to my waist,
and fears of the beak I once again faced.
Grabbing his leg and lifting once more,
My buddy was trying his best to ignore.
And that's all it took, was that one extra beat,
What I saw next almost made me excrete.
Right there on the surface, as close as a shave,
A huge snapping turtle was riding the wave.
He came up so fast I was caught by surprise.
And all of a sudden I didn't feel so wise.
The birds tiny foot was held firm in his jaws,
I was glad to see I knew what was the cause.
I took a deep breath and then I exhaled,
And then I grabbed that snapper by his long knobby tail.
As soon as I did, he released my friend,
and after some thought, I think I comprehend.
I, too, let go the Heron, and with my free hand,
Helped guide the turtle with a toss onto land.
I barely had time to turn back and see,
My Great Blue Heron leaving me.