Osprey

Morning sky,
bright sun,
fish eagle
of the marsh
flying low.
Its catch,
silver prey,
hangs from
talon strength.
Sepia and bay,
white bellied,
bandit masked,
dappled mosaic
beneath wings.
An intimation
that worship
needs only
the sky.

--Barry Middleton--

It is, perhaps, my favorite bird. Barry Middleton’s imagery is so apt: “fish eagle of the marsh.” An adult, healthy osprey can lift a fish that appears to weigh almost as much as itself out of the water. Watching them do it is both nerve wracking (Is it gonna make it?) and up-lifting (Yay, osprey!).

I have many photos of ospreys. I will have many more. Like prayer, there will never be enough.