Relax... Watch Mallards Fly

There's a small boy / rowing in the river
He's no more than 5
He's got two oars by his side
while he / rows / down the river.

A mallard / flies by / when he goes/ down the river
a majestic bird
with green / and brown / and yellow / feathers
that sparkle when he flies.

Maybe he's not a mallard
(Do mallards fly?)
in a deep blue sky
do they float on clouds?
do clouds transform?
into mallards
when they fly?

A silver haired man
is reclining on the bench
65
whistling / a tune
singing / with the birds
humming a song

I sing along
(Do you sing along?)
sing with the birds
Relax
by watching mallards fly?

Reflections after Reading Classic Slave Narratives


Linda and Frederick and Mary and Vassa
Industrious but whipped for minor offenses.

Tormented by wishing she appeared as a beast.
Thinking that reading brings curses; Fred steadily trying to please

Buckras that gave linens as clothing,
Hiding in cellars; Sleeping in cramped rooms,

Living with vermin and forced to eat
vittles and throw-outs and leftovers.

Resorted to choosing her husband or freedom
Living in England; but wishing for Antigua.

Brent and Douglas and Prince and Vassa
Thrashed and scourged, yet determined to be free.