Geese - March 16 2022

 

Geese

March 16 2022

How reassuring

to see the geese return,

flying in ragged formation

as they hopscotch north

from open lake to open lake.

Although in the choppy slipstream

of a hesitant spring

as it, too, travels north

their progress is intermittent,

tipping back and forth

between thaw and freeze.

They occupy the soggy shoreline,

scrabbling for space

and gorging on the rich succulent shoots

of freshly sprouted grass.

And are, as always, loud

belligerent

imperious,

as if proclaiming the place

their own.

And it is,

having migrated through here

for tens of thousands of years

before we ever set foot.

Even the dogs

can't chase them away,

obstreperous geese

sending the vainglorious hunters

scuttling off

tails between their legs.

Yes, they're noisy

leave a mess

have no respect

for rightful ownership.

But I admire their toughness

endurance

attitude.

And am pleased, looking up

to see all the irregular “V”s

forging roughly north

through the crisp clear air,

an early sign of spring

after a long hard winter.

The grass, roots intact, will regrow

in the warmth of lengthening days;

in the rich bequest

of excrement

the geese have left in their wake.