Those Who Seek

Poemata LXXVII

Do these fishermen / with catch snap satisfaction / or seek more than fish?

Treasure hunts the heron, lone upon the lake
Stooping low his head, dredging for fortune to make

Swaying gently grasses, wind upon the shore
Hiding in the reeds, raising his head, looking for--

Food? Or something better, snared within his beak
Is it snail or fish, he has endeavored to seek?

Just beneath the surface many things are hid
Water-logged and dank, fallen quite off of the grid;

Knowledge has he mountains, running through the mud
What then has he learned? Seeing beneath all the flood--

Water comes with seasons flowing to the sea
Finishing its course, flying there soon so will he;

Lakes will dry when springs their flowing fin'ly cease
Such inconstant are, things that we need for our peace;

In that day the secrets Heron only found
Sun will see, and sky -- written across muddy ground;

Fain the wheels of time to run the course of fate
What did Heron find? Naught but his destiny's Mate.