Farewell, My Friends

Oh, Lucy
Oh, Ricky
Oh Ethel & Fred
You’ve given me such joy these the past several months
No matter what the weather
No matter what my mood
I could always count on the four of you to be there
In your spot on the bank
Unafraid of human proximity
In fact, seeming to court it.

Sometimes I fed you,
Mostly I just marveled at how
Among dozens of ducks and geese
You four were unique.
White feathers set you apart from a sea of brown and grey.
Lucy and Ricky with your red-flecked bills,
And Fred and Ethel with your touches of black—
Two couples, forever together
You meandered about with seeming contentment.

But now I find you do not belong here.
Park rangers with nets plot your capture.
It’s for your own good, of course.
Domesticated ducks not meant for the wilds of our park,
You were left to fend for yourselves
By some “Live Poultry” villain.
And soon they will take you away
To Animal Control.

I watch as a ranger
Sneaks through the reeds.
He silently swings his net
But you all sputter away,
Eluding captivity--
At least for now,
But it’s only a matter of time.
In fact, I think, perhaps you are already gone.

I thought this would be your home for good.
I thought I would see my son chase after you next summer—
He toddling, you waddling—
But I guess that’s not meant to be.
We'll miss you, my friends.
Quack, quack and adieu.