Let verse arise in soul and heart
to soothe the way like balm of art
as note and tone in voice are drawn
at Neary Lagoon upon its dawn.
The Willow dance with switch and sweep.
The Berry blend their vines and creep
to set their bramble strings in tune
with flow of life at Neary Lagoon.
The Hairgrass whistle with the wind,
this melody above loud din
of murder cries from flock of Crow
whose rhythm caw in Neary’s glow.
Coyote’s howls resound at night
but night and day it roams in sight
of men and pets to seek its prey-
today’s mouth full was Squirrel Grey .
Mud Turtle’s part is low like bass
in sun it rests within its case
of color close to log and wave-
then splash will sound its getaway.
How does Mallard touch and trace
as chants in its smooth glide take place?
In fall they pair until come spring-
mama then sings with her Duckling.
In flash the Great Blue Heron rise-
its span of wing crescendos pride
in spirit free it soars and flies
alone and content, while I sigh.
Lagoon, how goes your urban life?
Your music could decline with strife,
dear watershed of fish and fowl,
whose course is tenuous as ours.
—
Joan Donato is a Bostonian transplanted to California 40 years ago. Writing poetry satisfies her. Retired from a career as a teacher and councilor she is committed to studying the craft of poetry. She strives to create sonic texture in her poems while nurturing her creative child in her desire to pen poetry.
