after Liu Tsung-yuan

One year they stayed
nested and sadly lost
their hatchling babies
to the bigmouth bass
today though
they were only passing through
or so it seemed
this being a good month
for choosing mates
but early still for thoughts
of settling down
as I approached they hid
under the rose
whose long canes overarch
the water's edge
at the pond's end
if wood ducks
were like mallards
common fare
would we still
take them in
with such delight?
I think we would
such elegant design
subtle and yet striking
without resort
to irridescent colors
so I hope
that they'll be back
now that the bass are gone