One solitary duck

The light was fading fast (hence the picture quality isn’t great)

Gone for a walk in Hembury Woods. This solitary duck floated by on the river (Dart), heading towards rapid breakwater.

Impulsively, i wanted to follow his headlong glide into the surging torrent. He seemed so small and vulnerable.

I ran along the bank. He’d disappeared. Gone under. Swept away.

Then he re-appeared. He was ok. Been ducking and diving for fish (could a duck that small take a big brown trout i wondered)

Only stayed in there for 10 minutes then returned. Exhausted.

“So much depends

on one single duck

floating, fishing,

fishing, floating

this dark afternoon.

So brave,

so alone

- and so at ease“.

(with my William Carlos Williams hat on)

River Dart, Hembury Woods

All the rain we’ve been getting has swollen the Dart river

Off Dartmoor it rushes, crispy clear.

I was sticking my hand in to get a surge of it’s fast energy.

Drinking my flask of sweet tea.

Right here i was, in Hembury Woods.

Deer are said to be in the woods somewhere.

I need to go in and investigate.

Quietly.