Slow Smoke/To a Wild Goose over Decoys

by Lew Sarett

TIMBER-LINE

 

Glacier National Park
Kintla Mountains
Kootenai Valley
Mount Cleveland
Belly River Ranger
Station,
Montana

TO A WILD GOOSE OVER DECOYS

O lonely trumpeter, coasting down the sky,Like a winter leaf blown from the bur-oak treeBy whipping winds, and flapping silverlyAgainst the sun,—I know your lonely cry.

I know the worn wild heart that bends your flightAnd circles you above this beckoning lake,Eager of neck, to find the honking drakeWho speaks of reedy refuge for the night.

I know the sudden rapture that you flingIn answer to our friendly gander's call—Halloo! Beware decoys!—or you will fallWith a silver bullet whistling in your wing!

Beat on your weary flight across the blue!Beware, O traveller, of our gabbling geese!Beware this weedy counterfeit of peace!—Oh, I was once a passing bird like you.