duckie

smooth my feathers

gently

stroke me with care

and kindness

remind me

you are here

because of me

not

despite me

 

my silky bill

is happy to nibble

your proffered treats

I accept them

delicately

and gratefully

 

perhaps we shall waddle together

along the torrent’s bank

feather by feather

rumbling

sympathetic noises

in support of each other’s

difficulties and losses

 

we might

quack out loud

in an excited succession

of jokes and

flirting

 

and perhaps we will be

lucky enough

to nestle together

and make a sanctuary

on the dry sticks

life provides