Head plunged into water,
body upturned, rear protruding
from the shallow creek.
Tongue like a piston, he sucks water,
thrusts it from his wide grey bill,
sieves insects and seeds.
Soft brown feathers edged in cream,
brown-streaked eye, buff face,
he surfaces.
On the grassy banks,
a female calls; a raucous quack.
He flaps his wings, iridescent green,
climbs onto shore.
Ion Corcos has been published in Grey Sparrow Journal, Clear Poetry, Communion, The High Window and other journals. He is a Pushcart Prize nominee. Ion is a nature lover and a supporter of animal rights. He is currently travelling indefinitely with his partner, Lisa. Ion’s website iswww.ioncorcos.wordpress.com.
Foxglove Journal 