Cob's Family

Graceful wings, white parenthesis
he makes his serene way
to river's mouth
with his new family.

The little ones paddle hard
unused to such long treks
frantic to keep up.

His Penn gently gathers the stragglers
her neck an arch of maternal pride.

The little family gathers close
the promise of easy food bright
in their jewel eyes.

They are unafraid
of this shallow boat
that paddles soundlessly too.

Floating alongside I am their companion
my paddles resting across my legs
we bob together companionably.