Photo: donjd2 on Flickr
Labeled for noncommercial reuse
Waiting at the Side of the Pond
I watch as he waits for death–his white body crouched over, shoulders hunched, still as the death he is about to impose. Of a sudden, he springs from his crouch, snatches his prey and soars on high, a flash of silver squirming in his beak.
Not long ago, I also watched for death—not the kind I would inflict, but one that would afflict me. And so did a friend across the pond, the big one. And, now, one across the continent. Its coming is inevitable, whether anticipated with hope or dread. It is inevitable.
early morning watch
egret fleeing winter climes
feeds on silver hope
Today is Haibun Monday at dVerse Poets and the theme is waiting. Hope to see you there.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
I love this, Victoria. The cycle of life, inevitable, and also full of hope. I also love the last line…feeds on silver hope. Egrets are beautiful. I adore cranes, the blue heron being my favorite. Your photo is stunning.
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It is the hardest sort of waiting…whether it be someone we love or ourselves. I’m not sure which is harder, perhaps the former.
I love your egret and his hope
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Yes. Inevitable. Yes. Painful. In those moments of waiting, though, we tend to notice life, don’t we?
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Oh, yeah! And when we’ve been in a potentially life-ending situation, that wakes us up to life, too. Thanks for visiting, Lorna.
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Life without ‘silver hope’ would be unbearable. Even in witnessing the inevitability of death, hope for quality of life and a ‘good’ passing is consoling. As in nature, we have to accept the cycles of life.
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This is so moving, Victoria. The wait I believe, impacts us as much perhaps as the death of another as we watch. A beautiful, moving haibun. Such incredible wisdom which comes only from empathy and experience.
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Yes, silver hope – that also caught my imagination. Lovely.
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This is especially beautiful knowing the backstory of the waiting — two across the pond. I was privileged to sit by my mother’s side and whisper words into her ear as she passed from this life. She was there, bringing me into this life; so it was a privilege to be with her at the end of her journey.
But I digress from your habit — which is beautiful. We will be in Bermuda again for the month of February — actually leaving this Saturday. I hope the heron who came every day will be there again. I watched intensely, as the heron did as you describe. It’s their pounce that is so different from the waiting for slow death.
Beautiful image you found also. A beautiful post.
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Yes, you would understand that waiting well. And I do hope your heron comes back. It’s such a delight to see them.
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So moving. We both know that painful waiting, Victoria, and wish we didn’t. But if we don’t know something, we can’t understand it and give comfort to others. Thank you xx
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We wait for the inevitable and sometimes we hope the wait lasts a long time. Sometimes not.
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The end is inevitable… mostly we forget that life is waiting, maybe it’s that insight that eats our soul.
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In this case, the waiting will be worse than the death. But I love silver hope. Perfection.
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‘silver hope’ is such a lovely expression.
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Its one we can’t avoid isn’t it, you just hope its a happy one….I like how you moved from the swan in nature to your own inner world Victoria….thanks for contributing.
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It is coming for sure, an inevitable event. Love the watch of nature and how death is part of the cycle of life. “Feeds on silver hope” is beautiful haiku ending.
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A very moving haibun Victoria. We go onto our next journey when we are ready and will witness others going before us with so much gratitude in our hearts for having known and loved them. Your closing haiku is beautiful too, the silver hope providing the egret with food that will return to earth in another form. Thank you for sharing xxx
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Death is inevitable & real.
We can only”watch”…
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Love the closing ‘feeds on silver hope’, Victoria!
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