the herons
that visited the ponds on the Scott County farm
were the first I’d seen
in Kentucky  

my husband and I loved them
they connected us to southern beaches
and represented our desire
to live at the shore  

one crisp fall afternoon
I walked a cattle path
through the rolling yellow fields
to the back pond
wandered along the bank
near water’s edge
I saw a mass on the ground ahead  

a heron lay
curled up
I walked up to its body
my heart ached with the loss
my eyes feasted on color and design
blue, black, beige feathers
full of intricate patterns
shimmering in the sun  

I wanted to pluck a feather
feel the texture
save the experience
but I left the heron
resumed my walk  

years later my husband passed away
I designated the heron
as a symbol for our time together
my love for him
the dreams we once held  

today I live at the lake
I see herons every day
their easy grace and brilliant colors
inspire me
I feel a warm presence
then he silently flies away