That green heron we watched
preening in the top of the sweet gum

was the best part of my day.
The way your excitement rushed out,

words tumbling over themselves
as you spotted it

just like when you were learning to speak
and couldn’t push sounds out quick enough

to keep up with delight, your body quaking
as you narrated its movements.

Its neck extending periodically,
then tucking back under its wing,

feathers a shadow
ruffled against the indigo sky.

And us, on the ground joined in awe until
it sprang from the branch and was gone.